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The 2021-22 NBA season will officially tip-off on Tuesday night with a doubleheader beginning at 7:40 p.m. ET on TNT.
The first game will be a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Brooklyn Nets and the reigning NBA Finals champions, Milwaukee Bucks. Then to wrap-up the night, the Golden State Warriors will travel to Staples Center to take on the revamped Los Angeles Lakers at 10:10 p.m. ET.
These two teams played each other in the play-in tournament last season, where the Lakers defeated the Warriors. The Lakers are looking to make it back to the NBA Finals after being bounced by the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
Los Angeles made a splash in the offseason as they acquired Russell Westbrook in a trade with the Washington Wizards. Westbrook, along with LeBron James, and Anthony Davis makes the Lakers a formidable Finals contender. The Warriors, who are still led by Stephen Curry, did not make any major moves in the offseason, but will be awaiting the return of Klay Thompson.
Warriors vs. Lakers, 10:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Pick ATS: Lakers -3.5
The Lakers enter Opening Day as 3.5 point favorites on the spread and listed at -155 on the moneyline. When these two teams played each other last season, the Lakers won two out of three games. At the same time, the Warriors are 1-2 against the spread in those three games.
Furthermore, neither team was great against the spread when it came to the Pacific division last season. Golden State is 2-7 ATS in their last nine games, while Los Angeles is 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 games against the Pacific division. I think Stephen Curry will put on a show, but the Lakers will get the opening season win and cover.
Over/under: Under 228 points
When it comes to the over/under for Tuesday night’s contest, it is set at 228 points. In their three games last season, the Warriors and Lakers didn’t go over 228 points in two games. But the first time they played each other last year, the final score was 115-113 with Golden State coming away with the win. That being said, I’m going to go with the under 228 and play it safe.
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