Lakers at Clippers
A new era in Los Angeles professional basketball begins on Tuesday night when the suddenly ferocious Clippers host the once-proud Lakers on the opening night of the NBA season. Many experts are predicting the Clippers to win their first NBA title after the offseason additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George while the Lakers are seeking to end a six-season playoff drought after acquiring Anthony Davis to team with LeBron James.
Signing two-time NBA Finals MVP Leonard elevated the Clippers from a playoff team to a bona fide title contender but George (acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder) is currently sidelined while recovering from offseason surgery on both shoulders. The duo's arrival in Los Angeles ratcheted up the rivalry with the Lakers but Davis, who was pried away from the New Orleans Pelicans, isn't worried about bragging rights. "I'm not sure what the Clippers are thinking," Davis told reporters. "But I know what the Lakers are thinking - and that's to play basketball. Obviously, they have a great team, but we know that for us it's going to be bigger than a rivalry. You know, winning a rivalry game doesn't win the championship. For us, the goal is to win a championship this year." That's a hefty goal as the Lakers, who have won 16 NBA titles, haven't managed a winning season since the 2012-13 campaign.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE LAKERS (2018-19: 37-45): Forward Kyle Kuzma (foot) has been ruled out of the opener and coach Frank Vogel couldn't give a firm timeline as to when the third-year pro would make his season debut. "Right now, we're just talking about ramping up his activity, and we're not going to look past two days from now," Vogel told reporters. "We're going to try to increase his workload and activities this week, and we'll see where we're at." Offseason acquisition Danny Green will likely move into the starting lineup and team with fellow newcomer Avery Bradley in the backcourt, while JaVale McGee is likely to start at center and join Davis and James in the frontcourt.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (2018-19: 48-34): Leonard carried the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title last season while propelling himself back into the conversation of the top NBA players after experiencing a lost campaign with the San Antonio Spurs one season earlier. The Clippers qualified for the postseason in seven of the past eight seasons but failed to even win a series in each of their past three appearances and never reached the conference finals in their history. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams will be counted on off the bench behind the combo of shooting guard Landry Shamet and point guard Patrick Beverley.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Lakers won three of the past five meetings after the Clippers prevailed in 21 of the previous 23 matchups.
2. Lakers G Alex Caruso (pelvis) is unlikely to be cleared for Tuesday's game.
3. Clippers G Rodney McGruder (ankle) is expected to miss the opener.