Two teams have yet to make their NBA debuts as the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers play their opening games against fierce conference rivals tomorrow.
The Bucks take on the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 AM on One Sports while the Clippers go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines (available via Smart GigaPlay).
Eastern rivals
Everyone’s time frame might feel a little warped because we’re slowly coming out of the pandemic but it wasn’t long ago when the Bucks were the kings of the NBA. Before the Golden State Warriors rose to the top, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s historic finals run that gave Milwaukee the title. And guess what, their championship core is still intact.
Antetokounmpo is fresh off a stellar outing in the FIBA Eurobasket and you can be sure that he will look to build on his 29.9-point and 11.6-rebound average from last season. The two-time MVP is still flanked by Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, though the latter won’t be available for the season opener due to a left wrist injury. Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, and Wesley Matthews are all ready to play while Pat Connaughton (calf) and newcomer Joe Ingles (left knee) won’t be expected to suit up.
The Bucks are still very much the same Bucks who won in 2021 and they’re eager for a strong start to the season when they visit Philadelphia.
The 76ers, meanwhile, lost their season opener, 126-117, against the Boston Celtics. The stars came out to play as James Harden had 35 points while Joel Embiid had a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Sixers, they needed more firepower to outlast the Celtics.
The new season is still in its infancy stage, but this is a promising sign for both Harden fans and Sixers fans. Concerns were raised as to whether or not The Beard has lost a step already when the Sixers lost yet another playoff series last season. As long as they stay healthy, the Harden-Embiid combo looks deadly as any duo in the league.
Battle of LA
Finally, a battle of LA with the best players available. Kawhi Leonard is ready to make his return after a long layoff due to an ACL injury in 2021. After missing last season, the Clippers’ title hopes rest on the health of The Klaw.
Co-star Paul George is still in tow and this season feels like a make-or-break year for this iteration of the Clippers. This is Year 4 of the George-Leonard tandem and outside of a Western Conference Finals run in 2021, the duo has underwhelmed so far. Last season, the Clippers failed to reach the postseason after losing in the Play-In Tournament. George only played 31 games with a nagging elbow injury.
In summary, they haven’t had a long stretch where the entire roster is healthy and capable of a deep playoff run. They are hoping to remedy that this season with a potent supporting cast led by John Wall, Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and Nicolas Batum.
On the other side are the Lakers who lost their first game at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, 123-109. It was ring night for the defending champions and the visiting Lakers couldn’t spoil the party.
Just like the Clippers, the Lakers have had their share of injuries last season with LeBron James and Anthony Davis going in and out of the lineup. Against the Warriors, James filled the stat sheet with 31 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists while Davis tallied 27 points, six boards, and four steals. Russell Westbrook, who is in his second year in Los Angeles, is aiming to be better acclimatized with his team. He had 19 points and 11 rebounds versus the Warriors.
The Clippers have won the past seven meetings against their neighbors and the Lakers are hoping to end that streak and get their first win of the season.
