Clippers Now 3 Point Underdogs vs. Lakers in Tuesday’s Season Opener
- Books list the Los Angeles Clippers as three-point underdogs in Tuesday’s 2019-20 NBA season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers
- The Clippers added 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalist Paul George in the offseason
- The Lakers acquired all-star power forward Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans
As the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers get ready to tip off the 2019-20 NBA regular season against each other on Tuesday at the Staples Center, for the first time in the history of both franchises, it can truly be called a rivalry.
Technically, considering that they occupy the same city and play out of the same arena, there was some semblance of a rivalry. But it wasn’t a rivalry in the true sense of the word.
The Clippers and Lakers were rivals in the same way that Hertz and Avis are rivals. There’s an alpha dog in each scenario. It isn’t Avis, and it wasn’t the Clippers.
Even though the Clippers made significant personnel upgrades during the summer, oddsmakers list the Lakers as the three-point chalk in the Lakers vs Clippers odds.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | -155 | -3 (-110) | Over 226.0 (-105) |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +135 | +3 (-110) | Under 226.0 (-115) |
*Odds taken 10/21/19
The Clippers and Lakers split four regular-season meetings last season.
Bye George
There’s a legit reason why the line moved from a pick to Lakers -3. The Clippers will be without 50 percent of their major offseason additions.
While 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will suit up, Paul George, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalist last season, is out.
.@Yg_Trece gives an update on his shoulder injuries while speaking with @Powell2daPeople. pic.twitter.com/6vIAbSjQk7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 29, 2019
George is expected to miss at least the first 10 games of the season after undergoing surgery on both of his shoulders.
https://twitter.com/Bballforeverfb/status/1186062487117975553?s=20
The Lakers will be missing Kyle Kuzma, who’s out with a foot injury.
Lakers vs Clippers – Who Got Better?
When the Lakers added LeBron James last season, it was supposed to launch a return to the glory days of Showtime.
Instead, the show got canceled and the Lakers missed the playoffs.
Acquiring Davis to team with King James is now billed as the Lakers’ crowning glory, but the Lakers gutted their depth to make the Davis deal happen. They also missed on the final piece of their dream puzzle when Leonard opted for the Clippers.
@STAPLESCenter Is setting up for the battle. 🏀 #lakers #clippers pic.twitter.com/4lNwyRVpt2
— VIPTICKETS.com (@VIPTICKETS) October 21, 2019
The Clippers gave the Golden State Warriors everything they could handle last season in the opening playoff round before succumbing in six games. In Leonard, they’ve added the guy who put the dagger in Golden State’s heart.
They’ll get George healthy, and work to keep Leonard healthy by limiting his regular-season load. The Clippers aim to peak in June. They won’t sweat an October game against the Lakers, even if it is the season opener of a new era.
Can't. Wait. 🏀🍿
The NBA regular season starts tomorrow. #KiaTipOff19 pic.twitter.com/0gm92yrPJ1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 21, 2019
There’s finally a legit rivalry between LA’s two NBA teams. In the short term, the Lakers will continue to rule over it.
Take the Lakers and give the three.
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -3 (-110).
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.
