At long last, the time all NBA fans have been waiting for is here: Opening night! And to get the ball rolling, the new season is set to tip-off with an exciting double-header.
The reigning champion Toronto Raptors will get the season started as they host the Zion Williamson-less New Orleans Pelicans.
Then, it’s the highly anticipated matchup between the two title favourites according to the NBA 2019 betting odds: the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers.
Here’s a quick preview of both of those intriguing matchups and how they might play out.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Toronto Raptors
It’s such a disappointment that before the season has even started, injury has already hit one of the most exciting players in the league. Much-hyped rookie Zion Williamson will be out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
Williamson’s absence will be a huge blow to the Pelicans, especially after seeing him dominate in the preseason. Head coach Alvin Gentry will likely play small line-ups against the Raptors, with veteran big men Derrick Favors and Jahlil Okafor taking up majority of the minutes at centre.
With Williamson out, Jrue Holiday will need to step up and lead the Pelicans offence. Brandon Ingram and veteran J.J. Redick will also be tasked to supply points from the wing positions.
The Pelicans were involved in some high-scoring shootouts in the preseason; they scored at least 123 points in four of their five games and also gave up 114 or more points in four contests. But they had just 117 in their one game without Zion, and it remains to be seen if they will have the firepower to score against the Raptors.
Speaking of Toronto, the defending champions will obviously not be the overwhelming force they were last season after the departure of superstar Kawhi Leonard.
However, they still possess a strong squad of players led by Pascal Siakam, who recently signed a four-year, $130 million max contract extension. Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol are also still around to provide veteran leadership.
OG Anunoby will be the one to take Leonard’s spot in the line-up, with Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell also expected to have expanded roles on offence.
While the Raptors will obviously miss everything Leonard provides on both ends of the floor, they still have significant advantages in terms of experience and cohesion over the young and reconstructed Pelicans. They should also continue to be a strong defensive unit despite Leonard’s departure.
Moreover, the Scotiabank Arena should be rocking for the team’s championship ring ceremony. That electric atmosphere should help the Raptors secure the home win.
Betting Tip: Raptors Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 1.87
LA Clippers @ LA Lakers
It may only be the opening night of the season, but this Clippers-Lakers matchup could very well be a preview of the Western Conference finals.
The two LA teams suddenly transformed into the top title favourites in the league per SBOBET odds after their huge offseason moves. The Lakers paired up Anthony Davis with LeBron James, while the Clippers created a combination of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, George will miss the first few weeks of the season after he underwent shoulder surgery this offseason. But on the bright side, Leonard will apparently have no limitations for his LA debut.
With George out, the Clippers will have to rely on the likes of Maurice Harkless and JaMychal Green to play significant minutes alongside Leonard. But offensively, the Clippers will still have Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell to provide firepower off the bench.
As for the Lakers, they will also have a significant absentee in Kyle Kuzma, who is still recovering from a foot injury he suffered while on Team USA duties. But aside from him, the Lakers should have their full complement of players to choose from.
James and Davis seemed to have good chemistry right away during preseason, and it will be quite a challenge to stop them from making NBA 2019 highlights right away. Meanwhile, they will have Leonard’s former Spurs and Raptors team-mate — Danny Green — to try and slow down the reigning Finals MVP.
The bench figures to be a significant question mark for the Lakers, with Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Avery Bradley, and JaVale McGee expected to be their top three reserves.
But the presence of both of their superstars figures to be a big advantage against a Clippers squad missing half of their new dynamic duo. And that’s why I am leaning toward the Lakers to take this opening matchup of the season against their crosstown rivals.
Betting Tip: Lakers Asian Handicap -3.00 @ 1.96
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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