Lakers vs Warriors Prediction and Match Preview, NBA Season 2021-22
LeBron James and Stephen Curry have met four times in the NBA Finals. They’ve played each other at Christmas just as much as they’ve played each other during the year. They met in the play-in tournament the previous season and have faced each other 16 times during the regular season. But they’ve never faced each other on opening night in the NBA in their 12 years together.
That, however, is about to change. The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Golden State Warriors in a nightcap that will be very familiar to basketball fans everywhere after the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets to open the 2021-22 season. Here’s how to watch the latest match between two of the best players of this age.
The NBA regular season in 2021-22 has begun, with the Golden State Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Tuesday. The blockbuster clash between Stephen Curry and LeBron James is likely to lure fans from all over the world.
It’s must-see television whenever Curry and James put on their shoes. Following a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets, the NBA will begin its new season with a matchup between the two teams.
Golden State Warriors Preview
Last season, the Warriors began with a developmental philosophy. James Wiseman was a starter for the team. Kelly Oubre was given the opportunity to win a spot in the long-term core of the team. Players who had just graduated from the G-League were inundated with chances to prove they belonged in the NBA. After Wiseman and Oubre were injured, the Warriors needed to step up their game if they wanted to make the playoffs, and lo and behold, they went 14-5 after Wiseman’s injury. When Stephen Curry and Draymond Green play with experienced teammates, they remain one of the top duos in the NBA.
So, going into this season, the issue is: how committed are the Warriors to winning right now? Although Wiseman is still out, rookies Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will be given opportunities to develop. Can the Warriors afford to give up those minutes in order to win the championship? Is it more important to win with Curry or to construct a team that can win without him? Steve Kerr’s first opportunity to balance those two competing agendas will be on opening night.
LA Lakers Preview
The Lakers are adding a new superstar into the mix on opening night for the third time in four seasons. The signings of LeBron James and Anthony Davis resulted in a title in 2020, but how will Russell Westbrook perform against the existing duo? To say the least, it’s an uneasy fit. With shooting all around them, James and Davis have prospered. Westbrook contributes almost none of that, but his playmaking will relieve some of James’ load as the offensive coordinator for the Lakers.
They’ll have their job cut out for them in this clash since the Lakers are currently playing at a fraction of their full strength. Due to injuries, both Talen Horton-Tucker and Trevor Ariza are likely to miss eight weeks. Also on the mend are Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn, and Wayne Ellington. In the coming days, the Lakers will have to change their rotation a lot, and opening night will be our first look at how they plan to manage this roster.
Match Prediction: Warriors vs. Lakers
If preseason form is any indication, the Golden State Warriors should win this game by a large margin. Preseason games, on the other hand, do not often feature the greatest lineups and rotations, so this regular-season encounter is expected to be different.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the serious star power that can destroy most NBA teams, yet the Golden State Warriors are currently missing two stars in Klay Thompson and James Wiseman.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will need time to get to know their new rosters. However, due to their star-studded depth and the fact that they’re playing in their home venue, the Staples Center, the former has the advantage in this game.
Since joining the Lakers, LeBron James has yet to win an opening night game. He also lost his first two games with the Heat and the Cavaliers (the second time). LeBron James is known for taking time to acclimate to new teammates, and Russell Westbrook is arguably the most difficult teammate in NBA history to adjust to. For the time being, the Warriors are the best bet as an underdog.
Details of the Match
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers | NBA Season 2021-22
Tuesday, October 19th, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. ET (Wednesday, October 20th, 7:30 AM IST).
The event will take place in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.