LA Lakers (0-0) at LA Clippers (0-0)
When: Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:30 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Pickem/227
All eyes will be on the Staples Center this 2019-20 NBA season with the two teams that occupy that building pegged as the favorites in the Western Conference. The Lakers and Clippers will get things started right away on opening night with the first of many battles, as both teams have a few new superstars. Anthony Davis teams up with LeBron James in the Purple and Gold while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George make the Clippers the favorites to win the 2020 NBA championship. It was supposed to happen at the trade deadline last season, but Davis finally got his move to the Lakers. L.A. traded away most of its young core and just about every first round pick in had available to the New Orleans Pelicans for the six-time NBA All Star. The Lakers won 37 games last year and missed the playoffs, while the Clippers won 48 and pushed the Golden State Warrior to six games in the first round of the playoffs last spring. The spread for Tuesday’s contest opened at Pickem, but the Lakers are 2.5-point favorites as of Monday afternoon. The Lakers have won three of the past five meetings after the Clippers prevailed in 21 of the previous 23 matchups. The team listed as ‘home’ has won six straight.
James is so happy to have Davis as a teammate now, that he gave up his number 23 jersey and the two will need to be healthy and at their best because the supporting cast for the Lakers isn’t terrific. Davis had a monster first half last season for New Orleans, but his minutes were decreased in the second half because they didn’t want him to get hurt before trading him away. Forward Kyle Kuzma (foot) has been ruled out of the opener and coach Frank Vogel couldn’t give a firm timeline as to when he would make his season debut. Offseason acquisition Danny Green will likely move into the starting lineup and team with fellow newcomer Avery Bradley in the backcourt. JaVale McGee will likely round out the starting five.
Clipper fans will have to wait to see what their new dynamic duo will look like, as George is expected to miss the first 10 to 15 games of the season while he recovers from shoulder surgery. Leonard carried the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title last season while propelling himself back into the conversation of the top NBA players. The Clippers have been to the playoffs in seven of the past eight seasons but haven’t been out of the first round in the last three seasons and never reached the conference finals.
The Lakers have the two superstars ready to go, while the Clippers are still waiting on George to get healthy. The Clippers still have a better overall supporting cast and I’m calling for them to take the first of many great matchups this season and beyond.
Pick: Clippers +3
Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Lakers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 vs. NBA Pacific.
Lakers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss.
Lakers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games.
Lakers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Lakers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss.
Clippers are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Clippers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss.
Clippers are 24-10 ATS in their last 34 vs. NBA Pacific.
Clippers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Clippers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Clippers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Under is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 17-5 in Lakers last 22 Tuesday games.
Under is 12-4 in Lakers last 16 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Lakers last 11 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 7-3 in Lakers last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 35-16-2 in Lakers last 53 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 27-13 in Lakers last 40 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 7-1 in Clippers last 8 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-3 in Clippers last 14 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 10-3 in Clippers last 13 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 7-3 in Clippers last 10 Tuesday games.
Over is 37-17-2 in Clippers last 56 home games.
Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings in L.A..
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in L.A..
Road team is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
