NBA 2009-2010 opening night (4 exciting games!)

How about this, Staples Center tenants the Lakers and Clippers, Eastern Conference probable finalists Cavaliers and Celtics, high hoping Wizards and Mavericks, and newly revitalized Rockets and Blazers for an opening night.

Lakers vs Clippers - Defending champions versus the team that is bound to leap high this season from last season. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and newly acquired Ron Artest vs Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, number 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin. It's going to be a big welcome party for Griffin while there's no better place to start a title defense for the Lakers than at home. However, the Clips will be Griffin-less as the prized pick will be sidelined for 6 weeks. Hmm.. The injury jinx hitting the Clippers once again?

Predicition: Lakers win (+8)

Cavaliers vs Celtics - Shaquille O'Neal is probably the biggest name added back to the Eastern Conference. The addition of Shaq made the Cavaliers more potent and deeper and took much load away from LeBron James. However, Rasheed Wallace's transfer to the Celtics provided the most decorated NBA franchise more firepower and experience. Add to that the return of Kevin Garnett, the Celtics could make another title run barring any injuries.

Prediction: Celtics win (+5)

Wizards vs Mavericks - Dallas made a very bold move during the offseason by acquiring veteran Shawn Marion. Marion could be very valuable for the Mavericks because of his ability to defend other team's superstars, something that the Mavericks lacked for years. How about this, defense, hustle, versatility, and experience, the Mavericks instantly got all of them in Marion and add to the fact he's playing with Jason Kidd once again. Aside from Marion, Drew Gooden and Tim Thomas makes the Mavericks a lot more deeper. Gilbert Arenas return to Washington could put the Wizards back on the Eastern Conference radar once again. The addition of Randy Foye and Mike Miller gives the Wizards more firepower aside from Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. An issue though, Arenas said that he'll be taking less threes during the season which in fact, making threes made him "Agent Zero".

Prediction: Mavericks win (+7)

Rockets vs Blazers - Nothing much to say about the Rockets other than Trevor Ariza. Ariza is using jersey number 1, a number used by injured Rockets star Tracy McGrady (McGrady is using 3 now). With McGrady and Yao Ming sidelined, the Rockets might have to wait for another season. The good part? It will give room for other players to improve and that could pay off next season when both (T-Mac and Yao) returns. So much for next season, Houston must settle for what they have right now. Another name in the Rockets radar: Aaron Brooks. The Blazers on the other hand added experience after adding Andre Miller. Loaded with young guns in Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, and Steve Blake, Miller's experience would prove valuable especially come playoffs time.

Prediction: Blazers win (+10)