It was a huge opening night with some early statements made, and now we get 11 games on Thursday including the new-look Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State Warriors @ LA Lakers
A depleted Warriors outfit heads to LA to face a new-look Lakers outfit, minus LeBron James.
Luka Doncic has always had the keys to this team since he was traded there, but now he really has free rein with LeBron heading to Philadelphia.
As for Golden State, Steph continues to be their focal point, but without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Brandin Podziemski, they enter their opening game with an uphill battle.
Same Game Multi
Leg 1 - Luka Doncic 30+ Points
In the Lakers' season opener in LA in the post-LeBron era, I can see Luka making a major statement.
In his 15 games without LeBron last season, Luka averaged 35.1 points, hitting 30+ in 11 of those games including his last six.
Luka has dropped 30 on the Warriors in three of their last five meetings, including 43 two starts back. 40+ would not surprise me.
Leg 2 - Quentin Grimes 10+ Points
Although averaging 29 minutes per game off the bench for the Sixers last season, he really did fall out of favour, especially late.
Quentin Grimes now enters this Lakers outfit as a crucial two-way starter for JJ Redick's men, and his usage will benefit in this role.
Last season he hit double figures in 49 of his 59 games where he played 25+ minutes. I think he gets much better looks playing alongside Luka in this team.
Leg 3 - Gui Santos 10+ Points
Over the back end of last season the Brazilian was great for the Warriors, and he is able to help fill the void left by Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis.
Santos hit double digits in 10 of his last 13 games without the duo last season, averaging 12.9 points.
He hit double digits in 27 of his last 34 games of last season.
Doncic 30+ Points / Grimes 10+ Points / Santos 10+ Points @ $3.25
Value Bet
Ziaire Williams 12+ Points @ $3.20
Williams is expected to start at power forward for the Lakers, and assuming he plays 22+ minutes in this role I really like the value for him to hit 12+ points.
As a Net last year, Williams scored 12+ points in 65% of his games where he played 22+ minutes, including seven of his last eight. This might be crazy to say given how bad Brooklyn were, but Williams might be more important for this Lakers team than he was for the Nets last season.
He has shown he can stretch the floor, which is important in this Luka system.
