Lakers Begin NBA Title Defense vs Rival Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers went on a 16-5 SU and 11-9-1 ATS run through the NBA playoffs last season to win their first NBA championship since 2010. The Lakers will look to carry the momentum of that title run into the new season when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Lakers opened as 2.5-point favorites and have been bet up slightly to 3-point favorites at home. The movement on the total was far greater in this game, going from 224.5 points all the way down to 219.5 points with heavy action coming in on the UNDER. The Clippers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven “road” games against the Lakers.

L.A. Clippers News & Notes

This Lakers vs Clippers matchup was projected by most to happen in the Western Conference final last season. But the Clippers fizzled out after taking a 3-1 series lead over the Denver Nuggets, finishing the season on a 0-3 SU and ATS skid that resulted in a disappointing second-round exit from the postseason and the firing of head coach Doc Rivers. Tyronn Lue was brought in this offseason to replace Rivers and to attempt to take the Clippers to the next level.

While there is no questioning the talents of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the two Clippers stars had a negative light shined on them this offseason with reports of undermining Rivers and deciding themselves when they would play or practice. It may be important for Los Angeles to get off to a hot start this season to try to put the 2019-20 season in the rear-view mirror as quickly as possible.

L.A. Lakers News & Notes

The Lakers followed up their fantastic run to an NBA title last season with an excellent offseason as well. Los Angeles locked up Anthony Davis long term on a five-year deal and added some fantastic depth around him and LeBron James with the additions of Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell. On paper, this team looks even better than the one that just coasted to the top seed in the Western Conference with a 52-19 SU and 36-34-1 ATS record last season.

These new depth players are likely going to be asked to step up and eat a lot of minutes early in the season. Los Angeles is just 72 days removed from winning the championship; James turns 36 years old next week and Davis has had plenty of injury issues in the past. Keeping these two superstars healthy off a short offseason will be the key to another successful run in 2021.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lakers get off to a bit of a slow start with plenty of new players to get acclimated and a championship hangover for the players who are returning. The Clippers always tend to play the Lakers well and should come out with a chip on their shoulders in this one.