The new NBA season is finally here, and we will see a great game on the opening night. The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Los Angeles Clippers, and we cannot wait to see two title contenders in action.
The Lakers are listed as slight favorites, while the bookies expect to see a high-scoring affair. The line has been set at 225.5 points which is not a surprise, considering it is the opening clash of the season. Both teams will need some time to gel the things on the defensive end.
Likewise, the basketball fans expect to see a show, so I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams put some serious numbers on the scoreboard. Howsoever, the superstars on both sides should have a big game.
Kawhi Leonard will lead the way for the Clippers who will be without Paul George for at least a month. The Claw will have to put on a strong performance on both sides of the ball and will probably need to guard LeBron James.
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
That is the main reason why should I avoid betting on LeBron to surpass his point line. Still, LeBron could distribute the ball a lot, so consider taking him in the over on the assists. The bookies haven’t announced the lines on player props yet but should be available in the afternoon.
Anthony Davis could be the key guy for the Lakers here. The Clippers will have a tall task to slow down the Brow. Montrezl Harrell and JaMychal Green will try to defend Davis and could have a long night. The Brow is averaging 27.1 points in October and 23.9 points per game in 19 outings against the Clippers.
Last season, Davis met the Clippers three times, posting some ridiculous numbers. He was averaging 34.3 points and 14.0 rebounds per game with the net rating of +8.5. LeBron James played twice against the Clippers last season, tallying 25.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per contest.
On the other side, Kawhi Leonard played only once against the Lakers last year, posting 25 points, eight rebounds, four dimes, and a couple of steals. During his career, Kawhi has met the Lakers 20 times, averaging 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over that stretch.
Keep your eyes on Lou Williams who will have a huge impact on the Clippers off the bench. The three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year should torture the Lakers’ second unit. In four meetings with the Lakers last season, Williams was averaging 24.8 points along with 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
When it comes to the main props, consider taking the winning margin. Both Lakers and Clippers went 2-2 straight up and ATS in four head-to-head meetings this past season, and three of those four contests were decided by eight or fewer points.
Interestingly, the Clippers are 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three meetings with the Lakers as a host team at Staples Center. The previous two were decided by three and five points. The Lakers are listed at +550 to win with the margin within three and six points in this one.
Likewise, the over has hit in the last four meetings between these two teams when the Clippers have been hosting the Lakers. Three of those four tilts had 235 or more points in the total. You can the over 231.5 points at +150 odds which sound quite tempting.
The Lakers are -130 favorites to win the race to 20 points. At this moment, almost 65.0% of wagers are on the Lakers to cover, and almost 60.0% of bets are on the over on the totals.
Enjoy the tips and don’t forget to check out more interesting plays here. Also, if you need additional guidance to better navigate the sports betting world, please visit our in depth sports betting tips page. You can also sign up to start working with a legendary sports bettor Jon Price and get the best picks and predictions.