Double Vision: Lakers’ LeBron James serves notice

This space aims to identify players who represent good value for recording a double-double in a particular game. If they post double-digit totals in any two of the five main categories (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals), backers will at least double their money – and sometimes make much more than that.

The bet: A double-double for Lakers forward LeBron James (+215 DraftKings)

As the hype about the Michael Jordan–based movie Air reaches a crescendo, James takes the court in the city that Jordan led to six championships. It will likely be his first start since sustaining a foot injury that sidelined him for 13 games. James came off the bench for just the second time in his 20-year career on Sunday, scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a home date with Chicago.

Between the playoff push and reminding Bulls fans that he’s in the GOAT conversation, James has ample motivation tonight. He has posted at least a double-double on each of his four visits to Chicago since joining the Lakers in 2018, with one of the games being a triple-double. He remains a threat in the three main statistical categories this season, scoring 29.3 points per game and averaging exactly 12.7 for both rebound chances and potential assists.

Including his time as a high-school prodigy, James has been filling up the box score for nearly as long as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have been bankable box office. More of the same can be expected tonight – giving an air of superiority to those of us who are good fill hunting.