Game two of our season-opening doubleheader features LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ first official game together, and what better way to have it than to be against their in-house rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.
The new-look Clippers bring in Kawhi Leonard, 2019 Finals MVP and arguably the most dominant player on the planet, to a roster that is compact with elite defenders and scoring aficionados in the halfcourt. Alongside Leonard is Paul George, a man who not only finished third in MVP voting last season but is an undoubted top 3 two-way player. Both rosters are banged up so this isn’t really the full version of the Battle of Los Angeles; you’ll have to wait until Christmas day for that to happen when the teams face off again.
For the Lakers, their starting five consists of LeBron, new Laker Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee, Danny Green, and Avery Bradley, as most of their guard and stretch big rotation will be out. As for the Clippers, only Paul George remains out for LA. They’re healthy and ready to go for tonight. They’ll roll out Kawhi, Patrick Patterson, Ivica Zubac, Patrick Beverley and Landry Shamut for their first game of the year.
This is indeed the game that the Clippers and Lakers circled on their calendars ever since both teams acquired their free-agent gems in the offseason, so now, its time for the star power of each squad to shine on the NBA’s biggest stage on opening night.
The Lakers have legitimate role players in Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and Quinn Cook while the Clippers employ what looks to be one of, if not the, deepest benches in the league that is headlined by star sixth man Lou Williams. What was a strong preseason by both AD and LeBron, is now only hopes that the very same chemistry exhibited by the two can show itself in the regular season.
Though both teams aren’t at full strength, expect a defensive battle from the get-go and a memorable season opener. The Lakers may just scrape this one out if the hype of LeBron-AD is real.
PREDICTION: 105-100 (Lakers)
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