LA vs Golden State NBA Hoops Handicapping
The Los Angeles Lakers answered the question of whether they could win without Kobe Bryant on Tuesday, beating cross-town rival Los Angeles Clippers in the season opener. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013
Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: Warrior -12.5
Over/Under: 205.5
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They will now travel to northern California to take on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
The other big question mark looming over the Lakers in 2103, was whether their bench could make up for their aging starting lineup.
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That may have been somewhat answered in the team’s opener, as veterans Steve Nash and Pau Gasol watched the final 15 minutes from the sidelines, as Xaiver Henry led five reserves in double figures with a career-high, 22 fourth-quarter points, as the Lakers turned a four-point deficit into a 116-103 victory.
LA went 11 players deep with its rotation on Tuesday and will no doubt continue that trend as long as Bryant rides the bench. [ad-6571516]
Meanwhile, the Warriors will aim to exploit some tired Lakers’ legs, which will have a difficult time guarding the perimeter duo of Stephen Curry, who averaged 27.5 points and 7.8 assists against Los Angeles last season, and Klay Thompson, who finished first and third, respectively in made 3-pointers last season, while leading Golden State to the Western Conference semifinals.
Throw in newcomer Andre Iguodala, which brings some additional punch to an already strong backcourt, and the Lakers will face yet another challenge.
Clearly a team on the rise, the Warriors are facing high expectations after their success last season, finishing in front of the Lakers in the Pacific Division last spring.
They will play their season opener less the help of forward Harrison Barnes who was ruled out for the first two games with a foot injury.
Free Pick :Warriors – The Lakers took three of the four meetings during the 2012-13 season, including a 118-116 win on April 12, in which Bryant sustained his current Achilles’ tendon injury.
And while Nash and Gasol should have plenty left in the tank for back-to-back games after turning in only 24 minutes on Tuesday, much of the outcome of this one will still ride on whether the Lakers bench can keep up with the Warriors for a second straight night.
I expect a big night for Curry and Co.
Warriors 105, Lakers 94
