“I bet the Mavs will finish higher than the Lakers”

A figurative wager starts a literal debate

BY HENRY ABBOTT, JAROD HECTOR, TRAVIS MORAN, and DAVID THORPE

Who are you taking? RON JENKINS/GETTY IMAGES

TRAVIS:

I’ll bet 10 bucks right now that the Mavs will finish higher in the standings than the Lakers. Any takers?

DAVID:

What’s the Lakers’ record? Are they above .500 right now?

TRAVIS:

The Lakers are 28-19 [as of February 3]. They’re 10 games out and currently fifth in the West. The Mavericks are 26-24; they’re 13.5 out in the nine hole.

DAVID:

Well, I would never bet on anything.

TRAVIS:

Figuratively speaking …

DAVID:

I took it as such …

TRAVIS:

The Mavs are three-and-a-half games behind the Lakers right now (and they’ve played three more games).

DAVID:

So, you’re willing to bet $10 that the Mavs will finish above the Lakers?

TRAVIS:

Yes.

HENRY: (laughing)

Ten dollars?

TRAVIS:

Throw a number out there.

DAVID:

Ask me on February 7.

TRAVIS:

I mean, it’s a better bet now.

HENRY:

It raises a good question, Travis.