With the NBA set to resume its 2019-2020 season this coming Thursday, July 30, it’s time to take a look at who’s on action when Monday’s preseason matchups go down live from the NBA’s bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida so you can make your bets against their NBA odds.
NBA Preseason Games of the Day – Lakers and Clippers Highlight Day’s Matchups
Washington at LA Lakers at 3:00 PM ET
The Wizards were a dismal 24-40 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at the time the season was halted while LeBron and the Lakers were a robust 49-14 and sitting in first place out west. While Washington was sixth in scoring by putting up a stellar 115.6 points per game, the Wiz are completely clueless on defense in giving up a generous 119.7 points per contest (29th). More importantly, Washington is without its best player in all-star shooting guard Bradley Beal and now, they don’t have the ability to put points on the board. Los Angeles is far superior and could probably win this one with their reserves, seeing as how they took both regular season meetings a year ago by at least 22 points. L.A. cruises to another 20-point win at the very least!
- Pick: Lakers 115 Wizards 190
Sacramento at LA Clippers at 4:00 PM ET
The young Kings were 28-36 and in 11th place in the Western Conference at the hiatus while the Clippers were 44-20 and in second place out west. While Sacramento has some impressive young talent, starting with point guard De’Aaron Fox and shooting guard Buddy Heild, the Kings are a team that gives up more points per game (110.9 ppg) than they actually put on the board (109.0 ppg). Los Angeles is absolutely loaded with talent and hit the hiatus having won six of their final eight games while taking out legitimate title hopefuls like Denver, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Houston. This one could be over by halftime.
- Pick: Clippers 112 Kings 95
Utah at Brooklyn at 5:30 PM ET
Speaking of games that could be over before they really get started and you have to take a look at this scrimmage contest. Utah is fourth in the Western Conference standings (41-23) while Brooklyn managed to get the seventh seed in the east despite owning a losing record (30-34). While the defensive-minded Jazz will be at nearly full strength, the Nets are still without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and now – Spencer Dinwiddie. Right now, I don’t think Brooklyn could beat an elite college team, like, let’s say, perennially-powerful Villanova.
- Pick: Jazz 97 Nets 85
Orlando at Denver at 7:00 PM ET
Orlando was sitting in eight place in the Eastern Conference standings at the break (30-35) while Denver was sitting in third place out west (43-22). More importantly, the Nuggets have an elite defense that ranks eighth in points allowed (107.4 ppg) and a huge edge in postseason experience as they’ve been knocking at the door to the Western Conference finals for the last couple of seasons. Still, I’m expecting Orlando to put up a fight, seeing as how they rank a stunning fourth in points allowed (107.3 ppg).
- Pick: Nuggets 101 Magic 95
New Orleans at Milwaukee at 8:00 PM ET
The Pelicans are sitting in 10th place out west (28-36) while Milwaukee has the best record in the entire NBA (53-12). New Orleans looks dangerous right now with a seriously talented roster of mostly young performers like Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball that ranked fourth in scoring at the time of the hiatus (116.2 ppg). The bad news is that the Bucks rank first in scoring (118.6 ppg) and an equally impressive fifth in points allowed (107.4 ppg). The Bucks also have a huge edge in experience and will have the best player on the floor in reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Pick: Bucks 105 Pelicans 99
