LA vs. LA NBA Hoops Handicapping
The Los Angeles Lakers will open the 2013 NBA regular season campaign on Tuesday night at the Staples Center, when they host cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 10:30 PM ET, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: Lakers +7.5
Over/Under: 199.5
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Both teams begin the year fresh off preseason road losses at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies.
In a rivalry that dates back to the 1980s when the Clippers came to LA from San Diego, the Lakers have dominated their sibling rival, and hold a 97-33 all-time series lead.
During that span the Lakers have won 11 championships, while the Clippers have only made the postseason six times.
However, over the past few years the Clippers have earned the respect of its big brother stepping out of the Lakers shadow in LA’s basketball scene, and in 2012, finally won the season series, 4-0.
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This season, fans can expect to see a repeat performance from the Clippers, who are poised to be a serious championship contender after posting a 56-26 record in 2012, but fell out of hunt after a disappointing first round playoff exit. [ad-6571516]
Not only did the team pick up a new head coach in Doc Rivers, but added some three-point punch with the additions of Jared Dudley and J.J. Reddick.
The Lakers meanwhile, are already facing an uphill battle just to stay in the running, as the team continues to be plagued by injuries and an aging lineup.
Super stars Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are still battling injuries, adding to the team’s woes. Mix in the losses of Dwight Howard, and the Lakers could be in for a long miserable season.
They will lean heavily on Pau Gasol, who will move to center n place of Howard, where he will play a more traditional role, starting with the Clippers on Tuesday night.
Free Pick : Clippers
The 7.5 points given to the Lakers is much smaller than I expected, considering the Clippers beat them by an average of 13 points in all four games in 2012.
It’s not hard to take the Clippers here, who I expect to cruise to an easy victory to cover.
Clippers 108, Lakers 91
