Odds released for Pelicans-Raptors, Lakers-Clippers on opening night
The 2019-20 NBA regular season will tip off on Oct. 22 with a pair of star-studded matchups. And though we're still more than three months out, bettors already have a glimpse at how the night stacks up with a pair of spreads to dive into.
Here are the opening lines and totals for Pelicans-Raptors and Lakers-Clippers.
Pelicans at Raptors
Line: Raptors -5.5
Total: 227.5
Pelicans' 2019 win total: 39
Raptors' 2019 win total: 46.5
A Pelicans club that won 33 games last year will face the NBA champion Raptors, who bagged 58, though that gap should close some this season given the circumstances. The Raptors, while keeping most of their core intact, lost Kawhi Leonard in free agency. Meanwhile, a New Orleans squad that was once led by Anthony Davis is now headlined by a generational talent in rookie Zion Williamson, point guard Jrue Holiday, and former Lakers Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.
New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry closed the 2018-19 season by going 0-6 against the spread against Eastern Conference teams, losing by an average of 15.2 points per game. Additionally, Toronto covered the spread in both meetings with the Pelicans last season, putting up point totals of 127 and 126.
Lakers at Clippers
Line: PK
Total: 227.5
Lakers' 2019 win total: 50.5
Clippers' 2019 win total: 54.5
The NBA's new must-see rivalry features a pair of Western Conference contenders that made significant offseason moves. After the Lakers added another superstar in Davis to play with LeBron James, the Clippers pushed their chips to the middle of the table by signing Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George.
This one opened Clippers -2 but was almost immediately pushed down to a "pick." And though it's only Game 1 of the regular season, some shops also have a prop available that allows bettors to wager on which side will get the better of these teams' four-game series in the regular season.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.