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New Look Lakers -170 Favorites vs Clippers in Season Opener; Teams Split 2-2 Head-to-Head Last Year

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 10, 2020 · 9:57 AM PDT

LeBron James
LeBron James will hope his second season in purple and gold is better than the first. (Photo by Prensa Internacional/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire)
  • The LA Lakers and LA Clippers tip off their season at the Staples Center on Tuesday night (Oct. 22)
  • The Clippers added Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the offseason but George will miss the game due to injury
  • Anthony Davis will make his Lakers debut after averaging 25.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game last season

The Staples Center will see both of its tenants battle in the season opener with the LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers set to do battle against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night (7:30 PM PT, Oct. 22nd).

Lakers vs Clippers Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
LA Lakers -4.0 (-105) -170 O 225.0 (-105)
LA Clippers +4.0 (-115) +150 U 225.0 (-115)

Odds taken 10/22/19.

This is more than a rivalry game; it’s a battle between the two teams that made the most meaningful moves of the NBA off-season. The Lakers added Davis, giving LeBron a running mate more than capable of keeping up.

The Clippers landed the reigning NBA Finals MVP in Leonard as well as perennial All-Star Paul George.

For my money, the Lakers have the deserved edge in this one for two very important reasons.

Paul George Injury Could Loom Large

George isn’t ready to start the season and that could be a very big factor in this game. Not only is George electric on the offensive side of the ball, where he averaged a career-high 28.0 points per game but on the defensive end as well. With the Clippers needing to stop both LeBron and Davis, having only Leonard to do so will make things challenging.

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The Lakers have a notable injury as well with Kyle Kuzma out of this one but it shouldn’t have nearly the same impact.

Assuming the stars coming to play, the edge is clearly with the Lakers considering they have both members of their dynamic duo at 100% to start the season.

Considering the rosters on opening night, I’m surprised the line is this low when looking at the Lakers vs Clippers Odds.

Davis’ Debut Should be Spectacular

Davis has talked at length about his excitement about sharing the floor with a fellow superstar in James.

While that may be the long term plan I expect he’ll be fed the ball early and often in his debut. The Lakers may be the road team on paper but this is still their house and the crowd will be ready to cheer Davis’ every bucket.

If we learned anything from the preseason, it’s that the pick and roll with Davis and LeBron is seemingly impossible to stop. Even with Leonard the primary defender on the ball, it could lead to a lot of points for the purple and gold.

Davis averaged 25.9 points and 12.0 rebounds last year and gives LeBron a player unlike any he’s played with before.

Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were stars but Davis may be better than them all. At the very least, he’s different in the best way possible. I don’t expect LeBron to kick off the season with his new superstar teammate with a loss and covering only four points shouldn’t be a problem.

LeBron vs Leonard is Matchup to Watch

If LeBron can saw off Leonard, equal him in points and production, I think this is the Lakers game to win and win easy.

The King isn’t ready to give up his throne just yet and having to listen to a summer of excitement about the other team in his building will be a strong motivator.

Bet the Lakers moneyline if you’re conservative or bet the Lakers -3.5 if you are bullish just like I am.

PICK: Los Angeles Lakers -4 (-105)

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