* Each team will play 72 regular season games, down from the usual 82, which includes 42 games against intra-conference opponents and 30 against inter-conference opponents. Teams ranked 7-10 in each conference (based on winning percentages) will take part after the regular season ends to decide the seventh and eighth seeds. Defending champions the Lakers take on a Clippers side that was left licking their wounds after being knocked out in the conference semi-finals last season and the city rivals face off on the opening day of the season.