What Game Will LeBron James Score His 40,000th Point?

Games to Fade: Feb. 29 vs. Washington (+310)

Over the Lakers’ five-game stretch from February 25 to March 4, the February 29 game against the Washington Wizards is the only game that won’t be nationally televised, and no one wants LeBron to break this record against the pitiful Clippers. Mathematically, this game is seven away, putting his 25 points per game average directly on track to landing the 40,000th point in this game. Still, it is on the second night of a back-to-back, giving the Lakers the perfect opportunity to rest him in a game they should win regardless. The stars don’t seem to be aligning, so at +310, I would need much better odds to pull the trigger on this bet.

Feb. 28 @ LA Clippers (+650)

This matchup against the Clippers is six games away for the Lakers, so if LeBron averages around 27 points per game over his next five games, he can meet the 40,000 mark on this night if everything breaks his way. At +650 odds, reaching this milestone would be fun to witness in the Battle of LA, but the main caveat is that it will be on the Clippers' home floor. I’m confident that the Lakers, the NBA, or LeBron want to reach this milestone on an opposing court. With that being said, we can’t rule out this occurring that night, but that would also mean LeBron would have to play every night the rest of the way. Four of the following five Lakers games will be played on back-to-backs, so it’s certainly possible the Lakers will give LeBron a night off to ensure he’ll break the mark on the Lakers’ court as a five-game homestand awaits after this night. Still, at +650, I could also see LeBron refusing to take a night off, as every game matters, with the Lakers needing to get back in the playoff hunt. This bet is worth a sprinkle.

Mar. 2 vs. Denver (+240)

At +240, this is the most logical game for LeBron to break the milestone. It’s eight games away, allowing LeBron to rest in one of the two back-to-backs while ensuring this game is in the national spotlight as it will be played on ABC on a Saturday night. What better setting can you ask for? If LeBron rests a game and averages 25 points in the other six games, he will score his 40,000th point in the first half. Still, I’ll be waiting to see if the Lakers will rest him this Wednesday leading into the All-Star game, as it’s the second night of a back-to-back on the road.

Mar. 4 vs. Oklahoma City (+390)

With three back-to-backs in the Lakers schedule before this game will be played, who is to say LeBron won’t rest two of those nights? Then, if that’s the case, he’d be on track to make the coveted basket on this night. To take the sentimental value a step further, LeBron also became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer against the Thunder, so why not break another scoring milestone against the Thunder? At +390, I predict LeBron will sit in Utah this Wednesday night and also sit against the Wizards on February 29, so I find some value in taking this bet.

Games to Fade: Feb. 29 vs. Washington (+310)

Over the Lakers’ five-game stretch from February 25 to March 4, the February 29 game against the Washington Wizards is the only game that won’t be nationally televised, and no one wants LeBron to break this record against the pitiful Clippers. Mathematically, this game is seven away, putting his 25 points per game average directly on track to landing the 40,000th point in this game. Still, it is on the second night of a back-to-back, giving the Lakers the perfect opportunity to rest him in a game they should win regardless. The stars don’t seem to be aligning, so at +310, I would need much better odds to pull the trigger on this bet.