Los Angeles at Los Angeles

The Lakers and the Clippers get a chance to open the season with their battle for LA. If last night was a precursor of what changes have been made with the Lakers from a year ago, then defense has become the focal point. I believe they realized after falling to the Celtics last year that it is all well and good scoring big every night but that doesn't translate to championships. The Lakers finished last season scoring 100+ in their last 10, but scored 92 or less in four of the six games vs the Celtics in the NBA Championship round. The 76 points allowed to the Trailblazers last night was lower than any total they allowed last year. The Clippers produced less than 100 points in 21 of their final 29 last season and have certainly been offensively challenged. This one has all the signatures of going UNDER the total.