NBA Basketball Betting: L.A. Clippers vs. L.A. Lakers

The champs become defending champs tonight. (AP Images)"]

Once they raise the franchise’s 15th NBA championship banner, the Los Angeles Lakers look to open their 50th anniversary season with a ninth straight victory over the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at Staples Center.

NBA basketball betting odds list the Lakers as 10-point favorites.

The key for the Lakers could be staying healthy, something they were able to do for the most part in 2008-09, but not in the preseason.

Pau Gasol sat out the Lakers’ final six preseason games because of a strained right hamstring, and seems unlikely to play in the opener.

The Clippers, who ranked near the bottom of the NBA averaging 95.1 points a game last season, are obviously excited about the potential of the 6-foot-10 Blake Griffin. However, Griffin is out with a knee injury and won’t play against the Lakers.

The Lakers are 31-9 against the Clippers at Staples Center, which has been home to both teams since 1999-2000.

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