Great news hoops fans! The NBA is finally back and the league is serving up a couple of intriguing matchups tonight. Kicking things off this evening is the much-anticipated clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following shortly thereafter is the Western Conference showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two critical games and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Boston vs. Toronto and Washington vs. Philadelphia.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (+10.5) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-10.5); total: 221.0 – view all NBA lines
Enough is enough. After finishing the first half of the season with an abysmal 19-39 record, owner Jeanie Buss finally decided to shake things up, firing general manager Mitch Kupchak and stripping brother Jim Buss of all his basketball power. Replacing the much-maligned duo are team legend Magic Johnson and power agent Rob Pelinka.
The Lakers will look to get their new regime off to a winning start when they square off with the OKC Thunder tonight. The Thunder closed out the first half of the season with an impressive 116-105 victory over the New York Knicks. Westbrook scored 38 points in that contest as he posted his 27th triple-double of the season. He has been sensational for the Thunder this campaign, leading the team not only in scoring (31.1 PPG) but also in rebounds (10.5 RPG), assists (10.1 APG) and steals (1.6 SPG).
The Thunder are 10-0 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games against the Lakers.
Writer’s Prediction
OKC (-10.5) not only wins but also covers the spread against LA.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM ET)
Line: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers – view all NBA lines
The San Antonio Spurs headed into the All-Star break with their two-game winning streak intact after beating the Orlando Magic in emphatic fashion last week. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points while Kawhi Leonard dropped 22 markers to lead the Spurs to a resounding 107-79 victory.
The five-time NBA champions will look to keep the streak going when they lock horns with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. For the Spurs to accomplish that feat, they will need to continue their outstanding play on the defensive end. They are allowing just 98.4 points per game this season, second-fewest in the NBA.
The Clippers have dominated the Spurs recently, however, winning three of their last four games. Doc Rivers’ men have defeated the Spurs both times the teams have played this season.
The Clippers are 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games against the Spurs.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio wins, 104-96.
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