Here we go… the start of the NBA season. 

And for me and the rest of us who actually live near Staples Center (and don’t just tune into TNT every time the Lakers or Clippers host a home game), tonight’s rivalry signifies exactly what Los Angeles is all about.

On one hand, you’ve got the glitz — LeBron.  He’s flashy, savvy, and as quick on the court as he is with his social media game.  He’s a natural-born Laker; and now that he has a capable and talented co-star in Anthony Davis, the two of them can go about making a Blockbuster of a season.  One that will draw in millions of dollars in ticket sales, merch, and jersey purchases from long-time fans and bandwagoners, alike.

Opposite the talent and on-screen presence of superstars like LeBron and A.D., are the workman-like “producers” who represent the Los Angeles Clippers.  Don’t get it twisted, every great movie here in Tinseltown needs behind-the-scenes muscle to get the job done. Think of Kawhi Leonard like a Jerry Bruckheimer to Paul George’s Brian Grazer.  Both these dudes just get buckets the way Bruck & Graze make movies and t.v. shows for anyone with two eyes and a screen.

It’s the start of the NBA season here in L.A.  And it’s exactly what it’s supposed to be. Guys who go by their first name only — LeBron, Kawhi— doing what they do best for the sheer entertainment of anyone tuning in tonight.  And everyone who will catch the highlights on Sportscenter and YouTube tomorrow.

This is La-La Land.  

La-La-La Lakers.  At least, for now...

Lakers vs. Clippers odds, line: 2019 NBA Opening Night picks, predictions from top-rated computer model

SportsLine's advanced computer model simulated Lakers vs. Clippers on Tuesday 10,000 times.

The Los Angeles Clippers will look to continue their winning ways under seventh-year head coach Doc Rivers when they open up their regular season on Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers (48-34 last season) are looking for their ninth straight winning season and 15th playoff appearance, while the Lakers (37-45) look to snap a six-year playoff drought. Tip-off on NBA Opening Night 2019 is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers' last winning season was in 2012-13, when they went 45-37 and placed third in the Pacific Division, losing in the first round of the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Lakers are three-point favorites in the latest Lakers vs. Clippers odds, a four-point swing after the line opened at +1, while the over-under for total points scored is 224. Before making any Clippers vs. Lakers picks or NBA predictions for Opening Night, you need to hear what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and anyone who followed it last season saw massive returns. The model finished 300-252 on all its top-rated picks. On top-rated against the spread and money line picks alone, the model returned a whopping $4,280.  

Now, the model has dialed in on Clippers vs. Lakers. We can tell you it's leaning over, and it also says one side of the spread cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations. That pick is available exclusively at SportsLine.

The model knows the Lakers have been one of the NBA's most successful franchises, having made 60 playoff appearances in their 71 seasons. They have won 16 championships, 31 conference titles and 23 division crowns. Twenty-six Hall of Famers have played for the Lakers through the years, while four have coached the team. They still hold the record for most wins in a row (33) set during the 1971-72 season.

The Lakers will be looking for major production from Davis, who played his first seven seasons in New Orleans. Davis, who averaged 25.9 points and 12 rebounds per game last season, averaged 34.3 points and 14 rebounds in three games against the Clippers. Also expected to provide offense is center Dwight Howard, who has averaged 17.4 points and 12.6 rebounds in his 15 seasons in the league.

But just because James now has the help he's been looking for doesn't mean they will cover the Lakers vs. Clippers spread on Tuesday.

The Clippers have had plenty of success under Rivers, compiling a 327-211 record in his seven seasons with the team. Statistically, the Clippers will look to build on last year's numbers, which saw them finish second in three-point shooting (.388), fifth in scoring (115.1 points per game) and seventh in field goal percentage (.471) and free throw percentage (.792). 

While forward Paul George gets healthy, the Clippers will look to complement small forward Kawhi Leonard with three holdovers from last season: guard Lou Williams, center Montrezl Harrell and point guard Landry Shamet. Williams averaged 20 points and three rebounds a year ago, while Harrell averaged 16.6 points and Shamet was at 8.3.

So who wins Clippers vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread can you bank on well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Clippers vs. Lakers spread to jump on Tuesday, all from the advanced model that is up more than $4,200 on its NBA picks last season, and find out.

by CBSsports