The High-Stakes Gamble on LeBron James' Scoring Streak: A Deep Dive into the Betting Phenomenon
Explore the high-risk, low-reward betting phenomenon surrounding LeBron James' scoring streak, featuring insights from professional bettors and the evolving wagering landscape.
The LeBron James Betting Craze: High Risk, Low Reward
Professional sports bettor David J. spends his nights glued to updating box scores rather than watching live games. His confidence in his edge keeps him calm, even as he navigates the unpredictable world of sports betting. However, the night of December 2, 2024, was different. LeBron James was struggling through one of his worst scoring games in years, and David J. was on edge.
The Genesis of the Bet
Earlier in the season, David noticed that FanDuel offered odds on James scoring at least 10 points in a game. "He's LeBron James. He's going to score 10," he thought. He started betting this prop, laying pricey odds. By December, he decided to go public with his wagers, risking thousands of dollars for a chance to win only a few hundred.
LeBron James in action.
The Viral Moment
On December 1, a screenshot of David’s bet — $10,125 at -1800 odds to win $562 on James reaching double figures against the Utah Jazz — went viral, amassing 3.3 million views on X. He bragged to his buddies and trash-talked critics on social media. When his wager cashed in the second quarter, he reveled in the moment.
"I was just laughing at all the people calling me an idiot, which I very well might be," David said. "It was cool when I was getting millions of impressions. It was fun."
The Stressful Night
The next night was much more stressful. James had only seven points with 12 minutes left in a blowout against the Minnesota Timberwolves. An early exit and the end of his record streak were possible. David was sweating, worried about his $9,000 bet and the potential social media backlash.
The Outcome
James hit a layup and a free throw to reach 10 points before exiting the game. David exhaled, avoiding social media lambasting and winning $562.50.
The Evolution of the Betting Market
The LeBron 10-point betting market has exploded in the past three months. FanDuel stopped offering the wager on a game-by-game basis in mid-December, instead using odds on James continuing his streak through the rest of the regular season. The wagering has shifted to peer-to-peer sweepstakes sites like ProphetX.
The Other Side of the Bet
Chris D., a hedge fund analyst and savvy bettor, has been on the opposite side of David’s bets. He believes the hype around the streak has inflated the price and has bet against James scoring 10 points in a handful of games.
"I've lost over $10,000 on it," Chris said. "But I believe there's value in betting against the streak when the price climbs to 65-1 or longer."
The Future of the Streak
Both bettors agree that their wagers are essentially betting on the odds of James getting hurt early in a game. David J. remains confident in James' ability to keep the streak alive, while Chris D. sees potential value in betting against it.
As the price climbs upward of -7000, David J. believes it's worth it and plans to continue backing James for as much money as possible.
What to Read Next
