LA Lakers vs. LA Clippers Pick Prediction NBA Pro Basketball Odds Preview 10-29-2013

It will be the Battle of LA to open up a new NBA season as the LA Clippers will be the designated home team facing the LA Lakers.

Tip off time at Staples Center in Los Angeles is set for 7:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by TNT TV.

The betting odds from game one of the NBA season for both teams have the road side LA Clippers favored by -8 ½ points with an over under line set at 198 ½ points.

The teams met four times during the regular season in 2012-2013 with the Clippers winning and covering the point spread in all four games. The biggest news for the Clippers is they replaced head coach Vinnie Del Negro with former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. Last season the Clippers failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs as they team was defeated by Memphis in six games. In Game 6 it was Memphis with the 118-105 home victory against the Clippers as a +6 point underdog on May 3rd. LA Clippers struggled from the free throw line last season hitting on 71.1% ranking 27th in the league. On offense they team was fourth in shooting hitting on 47.8% from the field. The defense in the playoffs went south as the Clippers gave up 103 points or greater in their final three games against Memphis.

The LA Lakers enters the 2013-14 season with Kobe Bryant sidelined as he recovers from season ending Achilles surgery suffered late in the regulars season last year. The Lakers were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs last year as they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in four games. Dwight Howard has left the team as he opts to sign with the Houston Rockets as a free agent. Also exiting was defensive star Metta World Peace who signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks. It was a struggle for LA Lakers on defense last season by allowing 101 points per game ranking in the lower third of the league. The most notable signings for the Lakers during the offseason was journeymen center Chris Kaman and Jordan Farmer who played at Turkey last season.