The last time the Los Angeles Lakers won against the Philadelphia 76ers was in the pre-pandemic era. Can they finally get that elusive Philly win?
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Los Angeles Lakers (10-7, 3-5 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- D’Angelo Russell
- Max Christie
- Taurean Prince
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
The Lakers went back to the win column by opening their four-game roadtrip with a 121-115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are now 7-2 over their last nine games, averaging 116.3 points while allowing 108.7 in that span.
Good numbers are seen in some of the guys within that said stretch. LeBron James leads the way with 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals on 55.9% shooting in his last eight.
Austin Reaves, who has moved into a bench role in mid-November, has looked more comfortable, is posting 17.0/5.5/6.8/1.3 on a 54.8% clip in his last four outings. D’Angelo Russell is maintaining identical stats, but his 47.1 field goal percentage is a career-best.
Anthony Davis has looked good for much of the season, but he still has some tendency to disappear, as seen in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, where he was 4-for-10 for 10 points and was held scoreless in the second half. They better hope he doesn’t do that tomorrow, especially since it’s a marquee matchup against Joel Embiid.
The Lakers have lost their last six-straight games to the Sixers.
HOME: Philadelphia 76ers (11-5, 6-3 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Tyrese Maxey
- DeAnthony Melton
- Tobias Harris
- Nic Batum
- Joel Embiid
After a hot 8-1 start, the Sixers have cooled down and gone just 3-3 since. The good thing, however, is they will come in tomorrow off a 127-123 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Also, they have a good amount of confidence, given that the Lakers haven’t beaten them in their last six meetings.
Reigning MVP and probably back-to-back scoring champion Joel Embiid will look to keep flexing his high-scoring ways. He has 32.1 PPG on the season, alongside 11.3 boards, 6.0 assists, 1.1 assists, and 1.9 blocks. He should play inspired as he’s opposite a likewise elite big man in AD.
Tyrese Maxey is still blazing overall, but he’s been slowing down after a blistering start. He was at 28.6 PPG on 50.5% shooting in his first nine games, but has only posted 23.6 PPG on 40% in his last seven.
Tobias Harris (19.3 PPG) and De’Anthony Melton (12.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG) remain as two other key starters. They are guys to watch out for as well.
PREDICTION:
Handicap: The Sixers (-5) fail to cover.
Over/Under: The total goes under 231.5
