Last season, LeBron James established himself as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. This season, he is looking to set a new mark and make the record even more unattainable for those who come after him. He currently has 39,566 career points, and 40,000 career points are inevitable if he stays healthy. When will he pull it off? The answer to that question is currently one of the best prop bets on the NBA market at DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
With James approaching yet another piece of NBA history, we’re looking at the odds for when he reaches 40,000 career points.
LeBron James Odds for 40,000 Career Points
Here are the betting odds at DraftKings and FanDuel as of Wednesday, Jan. 17. To see updated odds on a future day, visit each sportsbook.
| DATE | DraftKings Sportsbook Odds | FanDuel Sportsbook Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 22 at Golden State | +6000 | +3700 |
| Feb. 23 vs San Antonio | +2200 | +1500 |
| Feb. 25 at Phoenix | +900 | +650 |
| Feb. 28 at LA Clippers | +475 | +430 |
| Feb. 29 vs Washington | +500 | +450 |
| March 2 vs Denver | +390 | +450 |
| March 4 vs Oklahoma City | +475 | +600 |
| March 6 vs Sacramento | +650 | +1000 |
| March 8 vs Milwaukee | +1100 | +1700 |
LeBron James Betting Odds Special: Breaking down a few options
Feb. 13 vs. Detroit Pistons
FanDuel: 90-to-1 | DraftKings: 80-to-1
The Lakers are at home on Jan. 17 to take on the Dallas Mavericks. With that game included, Los Angeles has 13 games leading up to the Pistons matchup. His current scoring average is 24.7 points per game. If he scores his average in each of those games, he’ll come into the game needing 87 points.
There is an abundance of struggling defenses in that stretch that he could easily score over his average, but there are a few tough defensive units that could average things out as well. There are also two back-to-backs in that stretch, which has had an impact on his output this season. Given the circumstances, Feb. 13 is likely too aggressive for him to set the mark.
Feb. 22 vs. Golden State Warriors
FanDuel: 13-to-1 | DraftKings: 10-to-1
There isn’t a better game to break the record than against the team he had some of his most memorable moments against, having faced the Warriors in the Finals four consecutive times. The story writes itself, but including today, the Lakers will play 15 games before getting to this Warriors matchup. Maintaining his average up until that point would give him 370 points, leaving him needing 64 points against the Warriors.
Although James is averaging 24.7 points on the season, he is beginning to wane just a little. In January, he is averaging 21 points on 46.8% shooting from the field overall, 27.6% shooting from deep, and 59.3% from the free-throw line. Each of those splits are monthly lows for James this season. That includes three games below his season average already, which happens three to four times a month.
James has scored 30 or more points in 11 of the Lakers’ 41 games (26.8%). If he maintains that pace, he should have at least four games of 30 or more leading up to the Warriors. That would bring him closer to a reasonable total needed to cover this line. It’s possible here, but we wouldn’t recommend this date as our favorite either.
Feb. 23 vs. San Antonio Spurs
FanDuel: +850 | DraftKings +750
If he can’t break the record vs. the Warriors, the Spurs are the second-best option as far as history goes. James faced the Spurs twice in the Finals, splitting the matchup against one of the greatest dynasties in sports at the time. Now, they are rebuilding and seemingly have the piece that will turn it all around in, and who James will be handing the torch off to become the face of the league in Victor Wembanyama.
The matchup is the second of a back-to-back and will follow the Warriors game. It’s the safest option as well. All James must do is maintain his season average and produce the occasional 30 plus point game, which he does 26.8% of the time this season. Including the Spurs game, that is 17 matchups to score 434 points. That’s an average of 25.52 points a game.
This is one of the best bets for him to hit the mark based on the math, and at even money odds as high as +850, it wouldn’t take much to win big on this line. What’s your prediction for when James will hit the 40k mark?
