It’s an interesting showdown right out of the gate for the NBA’s teams from the City of Angels as the Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in what is technically a home games for the Clippers. Technically, it’s a home game for both teams and an interesting one at that with both teams bolstering their rosters in the offseason, making it quite possible—likely even—that the Western Conference goes through Los Angeles. For now, both teams will try and get off to a strong start with a statement win in what should be a close game.
Tipoff for the game between the Lakers and Clippers is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 10:30 p.m. ET at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The matchup will be shown on TNT.
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Odds Analysis
The Clippers and Lakers are two of the biggest favorites to win the NBA title at +400 for a Kawhi Leonard repeat and +450 in support of the Lebron James and Anthony Davis super-tandem. If both teams were at full strength, that would give the Clippers the edge in this game against L.A.’s favorite team, but Paul George remains sidelined to start the season, helping skew things a bit more in the Lakers’ favor.
Even without George, the Clippers still have a shot in this behind Kawhi Leonard, one of the game’s best payers and a solid supporting cast that was good enough to make the playoffs on their own last year.
Leonard is an excellent two-way player providing great offense with 26.6 PPG and 7.3 RPG a year ago for Toronto, but he’s also an excellent defender able to guard multiple positions. With Patrick Beverly another strong defender, the Clippers should be able to provide some challenges for LeBron and company on the defensive end of the court.
Fortunately for the Lakers, however, they have another strong talent in Kyle Kuzma who may benefit from all the attention given to LeBron and AD.
Key Player
Even with LeBron and AD on the Lakers, the key player in this game is Kawhi Leonard, particularly with the Clippers’ second man in their big two—Paul George—not a factor in this game.
This Clippers’ team made it to the playoffs without Leonard last year while Leonard led the Raptors to a title. The Clippers are a much better team this season just with Leonard who, by the way, was a target of the Lakers in the offseason. Under a different set of circumstances, Leonard could have ended up with the Lakers, so he’ll be looking to make a statement on opening night.
LeBron is always key, but he already played a full season with the Lakers and failed to make the postseason for the first time in nine years. He’s still a superstar and an elite player, but he’s not necessarily the best in the game like he was in his younger years.
Davis is a great piece alongside James, obviously, but the key here is more how quickly these two can gel together and we’ve already seen some great signs of positive chemistry between the stars.
Back to Leonard, without George, he’s a start on a team filled with otherwise good role players. In this one, Leonard needs to make a statement for the Clippers to win. He’s the lone superstar on the court this time around. It’ll be different when these teams meet on Christmas Day. For now, it’s him and a team of solid role players against LeBron and AD. The Lakers have more questions for their role players, but this is a sport where one or two guys can make a huge difference.
Last Time Out
These two teams split a four-game season series last year with the Lakers capturing the finale of those four games on April 5, 122-117.
LeBron didn’t play that game and Alex Caruso led the team in scoring, going 10-for-19 from the floor and 5-for-7 beyond the arc, totaling 32-poitns. Rondo notched 12 assists in the contest while scoring 15 of his own for a double-double. Caruso and JaVale McGee each notched 10-rounds for double-doubles themselves.
For the Clippers, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams scored 14 and 18 off the bench, respectively.
That game was the third to final regular season game for a Clippers’ team that had a rather up-and-down season. They ended up getting a playoff spot and took a fully loaded Golden State Warriors team to six-games in that playoff series.
Free NBA ATS Picks
George’s injury is the difference maker here. Look for LeBron and AD to both have impressive season debuts. The two seem to have good chemistry already which is always the biggest adjustment when bringing two superstar players together.
Look for Kuzma to have a nice game, too, getting some open shots with the defense heavily zoned in on James and Davis. With so many weapons, Rondo, a skilled passer, will be able to find the open man and get the ball in his hands often enough to give the Lakers the edge.
While the Clippers are an elite defensive squad, they take a hit there with the loss of George. Look for Leonard and Beverly to make things tough of the Lakers, but ultimately the tandem of LeBron and AD will be too much for the Clippers as they meld together as a team and wait for George’s return a few weeks down the road.
Take the Lakers to eek out a win in what should still be a rather close, well played contest.
NBA Pick: Lakers 104, Clippers 98
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