NBA Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers

Predicting The Final Score Of Rockets vs. Lakers In Season Opener

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By @ShaneRantSports

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Getty Images

As the ghouls and goblins prepare for their lone day of the year, the NBA is set to tip off its 2014-15 season. With storylines of LeBron James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Derrick Rose hoping to play his first full season in two years, the “experts” have already written off more than half the league as title contenders.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, they have already been dubbed a lottery team by many.

However, the Lakers face many unknowns. Steve Nash has been lost for the entire season and possibly the rest of his career, and Kobe Bryant is ready to begin his twilight years. Los Angeles was able to land Carlos Boozer in the offseason, but he hasn’t been as dominant the last couple of seasons as many expected.

All excuses aside, the Lakers open the season at home against the Houston Rockets. Houston is a different story. Having lost a crucial part of the roster in Chandler Parsons and being turned down by Chris Bosh, the Rockets still have Dwight Howard and James Harden. They were also able to add swingman Trevor Ariza and savvy veteran Jason Terry. Don’t get too excited though, because there are big questions surrounding the point guard position and Houston’s supporting cast.

In the first game of the regular season, no one expects a gem of a game. Heck, given the horrible reviews the Lakers have received this offseason; the Rockets should be expected to stomp all over Hollywood’s golden boys.

Let’s hold our horses though. Yes, Los Angeles and Bryant are shells of their former selves, but Houston didn’t exactly improve exponentially from last year’s disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets should walk away with the victory, but it won’t be a blowout as the red and white will defeat the purple and gold, 104-95.

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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