With just two games slated for NBA Opening Night 2019, there is no doubt that the main event of the evening is the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. This highly anticipated contest will feature two new-look sides in what should be a great opening salvo with regards to the debate pertaining to which team will rule Los Angeles this season.

In this pregame forecast, we will quickly examine three key factors that will determine why the Lakers will come out on top of this matchup.

PG's Shoulders

For starters, the Clippers will be without All-Star forward Paul George. The 29-year-old is still rehabbing from the series of shoulder surgeries he had to undergo in the offseason. According to earlier reports, George is expected to sit out at least the first 10 games of the season. Even when he does make his debut for his new squad a few weeks from now, we fully expect the Clippers to bring him on slowly.

The Clippers will be led by reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in what is going to be his first game in a Clippers uniform. The two-time NBA champ has proven in the past that he is more than capable of carrying a team on his shoulders, but Tuesday night might be an exception. At this point, we don't see how Kawhi will be able to force his team to a victory, especially considering who he's going to be up against.

The King is Back

After a forgettable first season with the Lakers, LeBron James will be playing with something to prove this season. The best part here is the fact that this is the first time in a very long time that James will be entering a new season properly rested. The 15-time All-Star had made it to the playoffs 13 times in a row — including eight straight Finals appearances — before the Lakers missed out on the postseason completely last term. Simply put, James has not had this much rest in the offseason in more than a decade, and we should expect a rejuvenated LeBron on Tuesday night.

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Let's also not forget that James loves to play in the limelight. The brightest of stars shine on the biggest occasions, and this marquee matchup to determine who draws first blood in the new era of the Lakers-Clippers rivalry is indeed pretty special.

The AD Show

Speaking of debuts, another man who is going to be playing his first game for his new team is none other than Anthony Davis. The six-time All-Star's journey to join L.A. was one of the most drawn-out and highly publicized moves of recent time, and Davis will want to prove to the basketball world — and to Lakers fans in particular — that he is worth it.

2018-19 was likewise a forgettable campaign for Davis, but he is still arguably a top-five player in the NBA. There are some who may have forgotten about how dominant he is when healthy, and AD's debut on Tuesday should serve as an excellent reminder. Luckily, that preseason thumb injury wasn't serious.

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We expect this to be a close game, with neither side holding anything back. This game should have more of a midseason feel to it, and at the end of the day, the Lakers will just prove to be too strong for a weakened Clippers side.