Bodog Beat

The champs become defending champs tonight. (AP Images)

Once they raise the franchise’s 15th NBA championship banner, the Los Angeles Lakers look to open their 50th anniversary season with a ninth straight victory over the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at Staples Center.

NBA basketball betting odds list the Lakers as 10-point favorites.

The key for the Lakers could be staying healthy, something they were able to do for the most part in 2008-09, but not in the preseason.

Pau Gasol sat out the Lakers’ final six preseason games because of a strained right hamstring, and seems unlikely to play in the opener.

The Clippers, who ranked near the bottom of the NBA averaging 95.1 points a game last season, are obviously excited about the potential of the 6-foot-10 Blake Griffin. However, Griffin is out with a knee injury and won’t play against the Lakers.

The Lakers are 31-9 against the Clippers at Staples Center, which has been home to both teams since 1999-2000.

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