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The 2023-24 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, with two games airing on TNT and beginning an exciting new basketball season. As usual, the matchups are full of star power on the opening night. Let’s take a look at how the games could play out.
The NBA opens with a nationally televised doubleheader of Western Conference teams. The first game is a rematch of last season’s conference finals between the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets. It will be a thrilling matchup after the two teams talked trash back and forth since the playoffs.
The second game features two other top-tier title contenders with new-look rosters. The Phoenix Suns will take on the Golden State Warriors in the nightcap. Chris Paul makes his Golden State debut. Bradley Beal was expected to make his first Suns appearance but is likely out while recovering from his back injury.
NBA Game predictions - LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
The LA Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets to open the 2023-24 NBA season from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The ring ceremony for the champion Nuggets will precede the tip-off.
The Nuggets are -5.5 favorites, while the game has an over/under total of 228. The Nuggets are -218 on the moneyline. The Lakers are +180 on the flip.
The contest should be physical, and the matchups down low will be the focus. Nikola Jokic had plenty of success against Anthony Davis in the playoffs last season. Davis will need to step up defensively to slow down the MVP.
He may also get some help from Rui Hachimura. The Japanese forward provided some solid defensive assistance against Jokic in the conference finals. He will be needed as part of the big rotation to throw at Jokic in this one.
LeBron James will also be out to prove he still has plenty left in the tank. He will pair up with Austin Reaves as the Lakers' primary ball handlers and scoring threats outside of Davis. The Lakers will also work in their new pieces, including Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince and Christian Wood.
The Nuggets will have some distractions celebrating their title. On the other hand, Jokic should be unbothered as usual. Jamal Murray is the best guard on the floor and will battle against Reaves and Vincent.
However, the Lakers may be more motivated in this one. LA could squeak out the win in a thrilling opener to the season.
Lakers 107 - Nuggets 104
NBA Game predictions - Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors host the Phoenix Suns in the nightcap of the NBA opening night doubleheader. The game tips off at 10 p.m. ET from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
The Warriors are -2.5-point favorites. The over/under total is 233.5. The Warriors are -142 on the moneyline, while the Suns are +120 as underdogs.
The Suns will have to wait to show off their new signing in Beal. The team will keep him out as he recovers from a back ailment. Meanwhile, the Warriors will debut Chris Paul. However, they will be without their defensive stalwart, Draymond Green.
It is a bit of a bummer without the stars on night one. However, Kevin Durant vs. Steph Curry is still a popcorn matchup. Devin Booker also brings plenty of firepower and could take over the game.
The Warriors will see how Paul works in their offense for the first time in real action. They will also see how their small lineups work, with Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson having to guard power forwards on the other end.
The books expect a high-scoring affair. The Suns are likely to struggle on defense. The Warriors will also be working out defensive kinks without Green. Curry could go off to win it for the Warriors in a high-scoring, close NBA game.
Warriors 123 - Suns 121
Guess the Lakers players!
