LOS ANGELES _ The Lakers' first game in the NBA's restart to its season will be against their rival and the team many expect them to compete with for a chance to reach the NBA Finals _ the Clippers, on July 30 in Orlando, Fla.
The Lakers received the news Friday when the league announced the schedule for the eight "seeding games" that will take place for the 22 teams headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Lakers will play the Toronto Raptors on Aug. 1, the Utah Jazz on Aug. 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder on Aug. 5, the Houston Rockets on Aug. 6, the Indiana Pacers on Aug. 8, the Denver Nuggets on Aug. 10, and the Sacramento Kings on Aug. 13.
When the NBA was shut down on March 11 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lakers had produced the best record in the Western Conference at 49-14 and finally had defeated Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers for the first time in three meetings this season.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way, the Lakers had won 11 of their last 13 games before the season was placed on pause.
They had impressive victories over the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks (53-12) and the Clippers, who were 5 { games behind the Lakers when the season was suspended indefinitely.
Because all the games will be played at a neutral site, the Lakers will lose the home-court advantage they had hoped to secure during the regular season. The opening game between the Lakers and Clippers will be nationally televised on TNT.
The Lakers won't have defensive stalwart Avery Bradley, who has opted not to play because of health concerns for his son. The Lakers are considering signing free-agent guard J.R. Smith as a replacement for Bradley.
The Lakers are waiting to hear a decision from center Dwight Howard, who many in the organization believe is leaning toward playing, according to people not authorized to speak on the matter.
