NBA opening night game thread

Basketball is back, as the 2019-2020 NBA season kicks off tonight with two matchups. First, in the early game (7:00pm CST tip), the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Toronto Raptors north of the border. Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam lead the Raptors against the Zion-less Pelicans.

In the second game (a 9:30 CST tip), it’s the battle of L.A., as the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Lakers at the Staples Center. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of The Lake Show will be looking to make an opening night statement against Kawhi Leonard and The Clips, who will be without Paul George.

Our hometown Houston Rockets don’t get rolling until Thursday night, so we have two nights of observation before we get truly emotionally invested in the season.

Tonight’s games air nationally on TNT.