It’s the night before the NBA regular season starts, so we look at the first five games and predict results for the LA Clippers.
The night before the start of the LA Clippers’ season feels like the night before Christmas to me, and not just because it’s almost literally the night before Christmas this year. The anticipation of seeing all the offseason moves in action is one of the more fun feelings an NBA fan can have.
Just like, before Christmas, kids like to predict what all they’ll get in their presents, let’s predict what we’ll see from the LA Clippers in the first five games that take place in December.
LA Clippers Game 1: Lakers, 5-10 point loss
I don’t like predicting this, okay?
But the Lakers are the defending champions, and they have fewer questions on their roster, as of this moment, than the Clippers do. It’s really as simple as that for me.
In training camp, the Clippers’ players and coaches have repeated over and over again that the team is a work in progress. Coach Lue’s system is still being implemented, and new additions like Serge Ibaka and Luke Kennard are still being worked into the team.
It’s going to take some time. To be clear, by the end of the season I almost certainly will not be picking the Clippers to lose to the Lakers. Last year the season series between these teams were split, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen again.
But I need to see it happen before I’ll pick it, and for that simple reason, I’m picking the Lakers to win here in a game that isn’t a blowout, but also doesn’t come down to the last possession.
December record: 0-1