The set-up: Until I get a firm look at each team over the first week, I tend to base my picks on different criteria to open a season. I believe this is a great situational play on the Lakers. Kawhi Leonard is an amazing player, which was the final piece on a great team in Toronto. Whether or not that same magic will work for the Clippers is yet to be seen and he'll be without his best option in Paul George, who comes into the season on the injured list.

The pick: Anthony Davis definitely has something to prove to everyone. So too does LeBron James. James in particular will be out to push the pace from start to finish as he tries to make everyone forget about his China "gaff" that he committed recently. What better way to start that process than to destroy the Clippers in their "shared" building? From a situational stand point, this is as good as it gets in my opinion. Lay the points.

10* BEST OF BEST on the LA Lakers.