The official countdown has finally begun. The 2022-2023 NBA season starts in less than two months. Since the full schedule for this upcoming season was revealed earlier this week, we are looking forward to the first two tipoff games, which will take place on October 18th. Regarding the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers will face the Boston Celtics, while the Western matchup will involve the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Who is more likely to start off the season with the right foot?

76ers v. Celtics.

It is safe to say this will be the closest game overall. Fans expect nothing but peak performance from both teams, as the first win of the season, while not crucial, is more than helpful for team confidence. Both are similarly composed teams, with plenty of versatile players on both ends of the court. The winner of this first match will ultimately boil down to offensive efficacy, particularly from their star players. For instance, rarely can a player prevent Joel Embiid’s dominance throughout the game, which allows him to score many “relatively easy” baskets, especially in the paint. By the same token, the versatility of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can make it difficult for the opposing teams to predict their movements, particularly mid-range and three-point shots.

Game Prediction: 76ers win. 114-106.

Lakers v. Warriors.

This clash will definitely be fun to witness, which is why the league chose it as one of the tipoff games. On the one hand, the current NBA champions, who are more motivated than ever, will have their ring ceremony held at the game. On the other, it is undeniable that the Los Angeles Lakers are a pretty solid, healthy team on paper. However, their level is still uncertain in practice, given the unremarkable, disappointing performances of the previous season. What is more, they have not played an official NBA game since April, which translates into a 6-month off-season. Nonetheless, both teams know how to put on a show for the fans, especially when LeBron James and Stephen Curry are on the court, as a matchup with these two will always be memorable.

Game Prediction: Warriors win. 119-103

We cannot wait for the season to start, as it can be one of the best in NBA history. It will undoubtedly be full of surprises, and these two tipoff games are perfect to begin. What are your predictions for the matchups?

Text sources: nba.com, basketball-reference.com