The countdown is on for the NBA’s return. The 2019-2020 season is set to come back on July 30 in Orlando, Florida with a pair of games, one of which might be a Western Conference Finals preview.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are scheduled to face off on Day 1 of the NBA “bubble” at Disney World. Before the start of the playoffs, 22 teams will play eight regular-season games each over the course of 16 days.

A month out from the NBA’s restart, there are still plenty of variables. More players could decide to stay home. Others could test positive for the coronavirus and be forced to miss games.

As things currently stand, the Clippers are the early betting favorites in their first game back. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers are favored by 1.5 points over LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, according to OddsShark.

The over/under is 218.5.

The Lakers are all but guaranteed to secure the No.1 seed in the West with a 5.5-game edge atop the conference. The Clippers head to Orlando as the No.2 seed, though they have defeated the Lakers in two of their three meetings.

The first matchup was a 112-102 Clippers’ victory on Opening Night. James was held to 18 points on 19 shot attempts. Leonard took over in the fourth quarter, finishing with 30 points, six rebounds and five assists. George was sidelined as he continued to recover from offseason shoulder surgery.

With both teams at full strength on Christmas Day, the Lakers blew a seven-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter. The Clippers won 111-106 as Leonard scored 35 points on 19 shots. Davis and James combined for 47 points and 41 shots.

Just three days before the season was suspended, the Lakers finally picked up a victory over their in-town rivals. Davis led all scorers with 30 points in the 112-103 win. James was the best player on the floor with 28 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two blocks. George and Leonard combined to score 58 points on 34 shots.

James was playing better than anyone, even MVP favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo, when games were halted on March 11. The Lakers established themselves as the team to beat in the West with consecutive victories over the Bucks and Clippers.

On the heels of winning the 2019 NBA Finals MVP award, Leonard has a chance to finish in the top-three in the MVP race.

Anthony Davis LeBron James Lakers
LeBron James #23 is congratulated by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after scoring a basket against Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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