Game two of the 2022-23 NBA season will tip off at 10pm ET on TNT as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers head into Chase Center to face off against the defending NBA champs, the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors come into this new season filled with an up-and-down offseason, as it started great after they won the NBA championship back in June. As of late, though, an altercation between two teammates shocked basketball fans worldwide. The incident happened in practice when Draymond Green punched Jordan Poole; thankfully for the team, the incident has been resolved, and both players will be available to play tonight in their first game of the season.
Draymond’s punch on Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/lsvlCUwZcC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 7, 2022
Of course, Green has been the “heart and soul” of this Warriors team for a long time; he has been essential for the franchise’s success on the court and off of it throughout his career. Yes, without Stephen Curry, none of this would be possible, but Green is the glue that has kept this team together over the years. As for Poole, the young star recently signed a 4-year extension worth $140 million.
🗣 POOLE PARTY
The Warriors have signed Jordan Poole to a multi-year extension. pic.twitter.com/VklEVPbEzq
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 16, 2022
As for the Lakers, they are coming off a miserable and embarrassing season in which they failed to earn a playoff spot after falling one win short of competing in the Play-In tournament. The past season was also filled with drama and injuries for LA as newly acquired point guard Russell Westbrook didn’t seem to mesh with the rest of the squad. Still, the biggest problem for the Lakers year in and year out is the unfortunate injury history of big man Anthony Davis who always seems to get injured. Without AD in their lineup, the Lakers aren’t on the same team, and frankly, when he is active, it is hard to know how long he will be able to play due to his consistent injury history, as previously stated.
The Warriors were able to bring in some solid role players in the offseason with the signings of former Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo and long-time power forward JaMychal Green.
Moody attacking the closeout here is the eye-catching part, but what made it possible?
Rewind back and peep at JaMychal Green setting the flare screen for Donte DiVincenzo, which creates the advantage and puts the Blazers into rotation. Smart basketball. pic.twitter.com/LcvkCEOsqG
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) October 12, 2022
As for the Lakers, their most significant addition in the offseason was former Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley who is the ultimate love/hate player in the league due to his consistent urge to do whatever it takes for his team to win.
Patrick Beverley trying to be a defensive leader, but Russell Westbrook wasn't feeling it 👀
(via @JacobRude)pic.twitter.com/FSi8YTO64f
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 13, 2022
Both teams come into the season with much different expectations as the Warriors look to bring another title home and the Lakers look to make the play-in tournament.
As for predictions for this game, we believe the Warriors will take care of business with a whopping 135-109 victory over the Lakers, with Stephen Curry totaling 40 points to go along with eight triples.
We hope you all enjoy the game tonight; let us know what you think about this upcoming matchup between the 2020 champs and the 2022 champs by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
Don’t forget: The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors TONIGHT, October 18th at Chase Center in San Francisco beginning at 10PM ET/7PM PT on TNT.
