The Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday host the L.A. Clippers on Opening Night of the 2020-21 season in a battle of the Western Conference’s top teams. The reigning champions are given the edge a little more than two months after winning the title.

The Lakers are favored by three points, according to betting lines compiled by OddsShark. A season after the storied franchise proved to be Los Angeles’ best team, the Lakers will defend their title with what appears to be an improved roster.

LeBron James is arguably the best basketball player on the planet, and Anthony Davis proved to be a top-five superstar during the Lakers’ championship run. The additions of Dennis Schroder and Marc Gasol, as well as Montrezl Harrell, who won the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year award as a member of the Clippers, help make the Lakers significant favorites to repeat in 2021.

The Clippers are still thought to be the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could have improved chemistry in their second season as teammates. Acquiring Luke Kennard and Serge Ibaka were key moves for the team.

A gap, however, remains between the two teams due to Davis.

The rivals split their four head-to-head meetings last season. The Lakers were victorious in the last two games, during which Davis was particularly dominant.

Davis put up 30 points on 11-19 shooting in a 112-103 win over the Clippers just before the league shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. On the first night of the NBA’s restart in the bubble, Davis had 34 points on 19 shot attempts to go along with eight rebounds and four assists in a 103-101 victory.

A few months later, the Clippers still don’t have an answer for the best big man in the NBA.

Last season’s final meeting between the L.A. teams was a defensive battle. Tuesday’s game could be more of the same.

The Lakers and Clippers never combined to score more than 217 points when they faced off last season. The over/under in their first game of this season is 223.5.

A top-ranked defense in the West led the Lakers on their championship run. It should also lead them to a win on Opening Night.

Prediction: Lakers over Clippers, 108-102

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers (L) is fouled by the Lakers' Anthony Davis in the Clippers' 111-106 NBA victory over the Lakers
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers (L) is fouled by the Lakers' Anthony Davis in the Clippers' 111-106 NBA victory over the Lakers GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Jayne Kamin-Oncea
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