The 2020-21 NBA regular season gets underway on Tuesday, December 22, with a pair of games before a full slate on December 23. The Golden State Warriors are in Gotham to take on the Brooklyn Nets in the league’s opener, followed by a battle between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers, a matchup made electric by the fact that both teams are contenders at the same time.
Let’s take a look at both of these matchups as you consider your NBA betting for the week.
NBA News: Opening Night Games for December 22
Golden State Warriors (+6.5) at Brooklyn Nets (7:00 pm ET, TNT)
Golden State looks to bounce back from finishing last in the Western Conference last year, due to a host of injuries. In their final preseason contest, the Warriors held the Sacramento Kings to just 37 percent shooting from the floor, winning, 113-105. Stephen Curry led the way with 29 points, going 9 of 23 from the floor and pulling down six rebounds. That’s less efficient than he is used to shooting, but the rust is falling away as Curry looks to return from a lost season.
Curry will see former teammate Kevin Durant on the other side of the court as he will take the floor for the Brooklyn Nets. He will be paired with Kyrie Irving for the first time. Last year, the Nets went down in the first round of the playoffs, losing to Toronto. This year, they start with new coach Steve Nash, brought in to help a team that ranked just 22nd in offensive efficiency a year ago. Brooklyn closed out their preseason with a 113-89 win in Boston. Durant and Irving put up 42 combined points. Golden State is still missing Klay Thompson for the season (Achilles tendon), and Draymond Green (foot) is doubtful. However, the Warriors are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as a road underdog. Even so, I like Brooklyn to win and cover.
L.A. Clippers (+2) at L.A. Lakers (10:00 pm ET, TNT)
The Clippers have been stewing since the disappointing end to their 2019-20 season. They needed six games to dispatch a pesky Dallas Mavericks team in the first round of the playoffs, and they built a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the second round, only to drop the last three games. Doc Rivers is out as head coach, replaced by Ty Lue. In their last preseason games, the Clippers coughed the ball up 18 times and ended up getting tattooed at home by the Utah Jazz, 125-105. Paul George led the Clippers with 16 points, going 4 of 10 from the floor, giving out five assists.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their first title since 2010 last year, as head coach Frank Vogel preached intensity on defense and the team followed along, coming in third in defensive efficiency. The Lakers come back a year older, posing the question as to whether they will have the legs to run it back. They have shown that they have it so far, going unbeaten in the preseason. Their last tune-up game came in Phoenix, where they beat the Suns, 114-113. Anthony Davis led the team with 35 points, going 11 of 16 from the floor, and grabbing six rebounds. The Clippers have covered the spread in seven straight meetings with the Lakers. Last year, the Clippers beat the Lakers in the season opener. Despite their unbeaten preseason, the Lakers have only covered once in their last five games. I see the Clippers coming out with more motivation and intensity, so I’m taking the Clippers to win.
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