NBA Season Tips Off: Can LeBron Break His Opening Night Curse?

The NBA kicks off its season on Tuesday with a matchup featuring the Boston Celtics receiving their championship rings while taking on the New York Knicks, who had a busy offseason. Following this traditional opening night game, the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks will host a thrilling contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, featuring some of the league’s biggest stars.

In one corner, LeBron James, the 22-year veteran and iconic player, leads the Los Angeles Lakers as he embarks on what is likely one of his final seasons, this time sharing the roster with his son. In the opposing corner is the emerging star Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who is seen as a potential successor to James as a key figure in the league. The Timberwolves recently underwent a significant trade, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks while acquiring Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

As these two teams prepare to clash, here are the best betting picks for Tuesday’s matchup.

Game Information:
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 22
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV: TNT | Live Stream: Max

Best Bets:

James has yet to secure a victory on opening night as a Laker, losing all six games by a total of 59 points, averaging about 10 points lost per game. The Lakers have struggled during significant games in the regular season during the James era, including his scoring record-breaking night and the first game after Kobe Bryant’s death. Despite these trends, the Lakers are favored at home against the Timberwolves, who performed better last season. The recommended pick is Timberwolves +1.

Despite trading away Towns, the Timberwolves finished last season as the NBA’s top defensive team. However, with Randle taking Towns’ place, there may be challenges in offensive spacing, making it difficult for them to score near the basket, where Anthony Davis of the Lakers will be a formidable presence. Minnesota is still adapting to scoring without Towns, while the Lakers may find it tough against Minnesota’s standout defense. This game is expected to be low-scoring, and the pick is Under 222.

Moreover, as the game progresses, the Timberwolves may realize they need to maximize space by giving more playing time to DiVincenzo, who might not start but could significantly impact their offense. Expecting him to close the game, the line of 12.5 points appears low, making the recommended pick DiVincenzo Over 12.5 Points.

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