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What to watch for in the LA Clippers’ first meeting with the Lakers

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers exchange hi-fives against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers exchange hi-fives against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers exchange hi-fives against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers exchange hi-fives against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 10, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The LA Clippers will begin their most important season to date tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s what you should keep an eye on.

The dawn of another NBA season is finally upon us. This time around, it’ll mean more for the LA Clippers than it ever has before, as the franchise’s first-ever NBA title could be within reach.

Fittingly, they’ll begin their season against Los Angeles’ other basketball team, who have title aspirations of their own.

In case you aren’t yet aware, the Clippers and Lakers will do battle tonight, which will serve as the first of four regular-season matchups between the two LA teams. The born-again rivalry is already being hyped up as the NBA’s best, and the season hasn’t even begun yet.

That said, it’s not hard to see why many believe the NBA title will end up in Los Angeles this year. The squads feature four of the 10 best players in basketball, and each side has undergone a massive overhaul compared to their respective 2018-2019 teams.

On the Clippers’ side, only one of those two stars will be suiting up for tonight’s season opener, and that’s Kawhi Leonard. Since winning his second title with the Toronto Raptors last year, Leonard has forced himself into the “league’s best player” conversation, and it’s one that he certainly belongs in. Leonard isn’t just one of the most dominant defensive players in the league — his ability on offense should be given an equal amount of respect.

Paul George, Leonard’s co-star, is expected to be out until November. That said, the Clippers have plenty of depth to try and make up for his absence.

The Lakers will be returning LeBron James and pairing him with Anthony Davis, who Los Angeles acquired via trade over the summer. Together, they could give the Clippers some serious issues.

There’s no way around it: This rivalry will be one of the best, if not the best, in the NBA this season. And although neither side is completely healthy, that won’t stop fans and analysts alike from putting an awful amount of weight into tonight’s game.

So get ready Clipper Nation, and keep an eye out for these few things as you’re watching tonight’s marquee event.

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