Daily Picks 10/22: Opening Night
Forget the World Series, it's opening night and we have two great games to get stuck into, most notably the 'Battle of LA'.
Today's NBA pick:
Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers (+3), TNT, 10:30 PM ET:
The NBA regular season is set to tip off in a big way on Tuesday night.
A matchup between two title contenders will meet when Kawhi Leonard leads the Los Angeles Clippers in a game against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.
Leonard, the NBA Finals MVP from last season, led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history, and he will try to do the same this year for the Clippers.
Also acquired via trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder was All-Star Paul George, who is expected to make his debut some time in November because he is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Despite the absence of George, the Clippers will put forth a loaded roster with head coach Doc Rivers calling the shots. The Clippers will rely on guards Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and Landry Shamet and center Montrezl Harrell.
The Lakers are another team that is expected to contend for an NBA title.
When you have James leading the way, you can always expect to compete for a championship.
The Lakers also had a key addition in the offseason.
All-Star forward Davis was acquired in an offseason trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis, James and Kyle Kuzma will be the key parts of a Lakers roster that is expected to bounce back after a disappointing 37-45 record last season. The Lakers will look to return to the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Davis, a six-time All-Star, averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 56 starts last season with the Pelicans.
Despite missing a career-high 27 games last season, James came away with 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
There is no doubt that this is a must-watch game on opening night. I am really interested to see how both teams look when this game tips off.
With that said, I believe the Los Angeles Clippers will come away with the victory in this one.
I think there are a lot more expectations on the Lakers in this game since they will have Davis and James leading the way, but I believe Leonard and the Clippers’ depth will prove to be the difference maker in this basketball game.
Roll with the Los Angeles Clippers plus the 3 points in this one.
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers (+3)