Clippers Become 2020 NBA Championship Favorites After Beating Lakers
- Sportsbooks now list the Los Angeles Clippers as +400 favorites to win the NBA Finals
- They posted a 112-102 season-opening win over the previously-favored Los Angeles Lakers
- Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points in his Clippers debut
One game into the NBA season, what do we know about the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers?
Even though they’re 0-1, don’t fret Lakers fans. Your team is going to be just fine.
Well, maybe you might want to fret a little bit about the Clippers. They aren’t merely good. They look scary good.
Led by 30 points for 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers easily handled the Lakers 112-102 in the season opener for both clubs.
Many were impressed by the performance of the Clippers. Sportsbooks moved them to favored status in the NBA Championship odds at +400.
2020 NBA Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +400 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +450 |
| Houston Rockets | +600 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +600 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +600 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1000 |
| Utah Jazz | +1200 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1600 |
| Boston Celtics | +2000 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +3300 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +3300 |
| Toronto Raptors | +3300 |
Odds taken on October 23rd.
Across the leading sportsbooks, on average entering the game, the Clippers were the second betting choice at +378. The Lakers were the chalk at +267.
Online betting sites moved the Lakers to second in this betting market at +450.
Staples Center a Clippers Joint?
Picking up right where he left off from his dominant performance in last spring’s NBA Finals for the Toronto Raptors, new Clipper Leonard turned in yet another dominating performance.
He poured in 30 points on 10-of-19 from the field, and did so in just 31 minutes on the floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4URgl3F3vU
This team is loaded with players who can do it at both ends of the court. And Tuesday, they were missing on the best full-court players in the NBA. Their other prized newcomers, Paul George, is out following surgeries on both his shoulders. He was an NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalist last season.
Considering George’s absence, the thinking was that the Clippers would be slow to come together. They would steadily rise and reach a crescendo in time for the postseason.
Clippers take the first one, 112-102, in the Battle of LA.
Not to oversimplify, but the Clippers bench outscored the Lakers bench 60-19.That’s a lot.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 23, 2019
Shelve that plan. This team is frightening to oppose. Patrick Beverley is a menace all over the court. He pulled down 10 boards. Reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams made a strong start toward retaining that honor, netting 21 points.
If there was an NBA seventh man of the year award, Montrezl Harrell would be the favorite. He added 17.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers did his best to downplay the outcome, utilizing the 1-of-82 card. But for starters, #1 of 82 for the Clippers couldn’t have made a more resounding statement.
Lakers Weren’t Bad, They Just Weren’t the Clippers
The Lakers’ gunslingers forgot to pack their weapons. LeBron James shot 7-for-19 and finished with only 18 points. Anthony Davis was a dismal 8-of-21 from the field but still finished with a solid 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Danny Green (28 points) was the better of LA’s two significant newcomers.
In the Clippers victory over the Lakers the X factor was the Clippers bench outscoring the Lakers 60-19 and Lou Williams leading the way with 21.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 23, 2019
Where did it go south for the Lakers? A more precise question might be where didn’t it go wrong?
The smaller Clippers out-rebounded the Lakers 45-41. They outscored the Lakers bench by 41 points. The Lakers were held to just 43.5 percent shooting.
Guess What You Get For Christmas?
Everyone gets to unwrap a tasty holiday gift, because Christmas Day is when Clippers-Lakers round two will take place.
More bad news for the Association’s other squads – George figures to be back by then.
Skip: The Clippers will make it to the NBA Finals, not the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/TzsNN6Yb5v
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 23, 2019
The scariest notion for the rest of the NBA? Rivers thinks that his team is barely scratching the surface of how good they can become.
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers (+400)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
