The Philadelphia 76ers (26-16, 9-9 Away), one of the league’s top scoring defenses, are on the road to face the Los Angeles Lakers (19-23, 10-9 Home) on Sunday. Philadelphia is playing the second of a back-to-back after edging past the Utah Jazz 118-117 at Vivint Arena yesterday, their third straight win away from home.
James Harden led the way with 31 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds. The 76ers are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Los Angeles dropped their last game on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 119-115 in double overtime.
Russell Westbrook topped the scoresheet in the loss with 28 points. With 24 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, LeBron James also played a part. The Lakers are the 13th seed in the Western Conference.
The teams are meeting for the last time this season. Philadelphia will be seeking a season sweep against Los Angeles after taking the only prior game 133-122 in overtime at Wells Fargo Center in December 2022, their fifth straight head-to-head victory. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 38 points, while De’Anthony Melton was a key contributor with 33 points and seven steals.
Anthony Davis had 31 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.The Sixers have been led this season by Embiid, who is averaging 33.4 points per game, second-highest in the NBA. Embiid also is contributing 9.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. James has supplied much of the Lakers’ offense, averaging 29.0 points per game.
He ranks as the seventh-highest scorer in the NBA. James also has pulled down 8.4 rebounds per game. Westbrook has doled out 7.8 assists per game.The 76ers rank as one of the stingiest scoring defenses in the NBA, fourth-best with 110.1 points per game allowed.
The 76ers have found success in recent games at Crypto.com Arena, winning seven of the last 10. Meanwhile, the 76ers are 4-2 this season when playing the second of a back-to-back and 1-2 in such games against opponents with at least a day of rest.
The Lakers are 5-2 with a rest advantage. Philadelphia is 6-4 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +2.6 (120.5-117.9). For the season, the 76ers are averaging 113.8 points per game, compared to 110.1 for opponents. Los Angeles has also a 6-4 record over the last 10, scoring 119.5 points per game on average while allowing 118.0 (+1.5 margin).
76ERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Montrezl Harrell: 14.6 | 9.5 | +5.1
De’Anthony Melton: 12.2 | 19.0 | -6.8
Points per game:
De’Anthony Melton: 6.4 | 11.4 | -5.0
Rebounds per game:
James Harden: 8.4 | 6.4 | +2.0
Assists per game:
Joel Embiid: 1.7 | 4.3 | -2.6
LAKERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Russell Westbrook: 39.6 | 29.6 | +10.0
Patrick Beverley: 7.5 | 11.9 | -4.4
Points per game:
Dennis Schroder: 20.2 | 12.5 | +7.7
Rebounds per game:
Thomas Bryant: 11.0 | 7.3 | +3.7
Assists per game:
LeBron James: 8.7 | 6.8 | +1.9
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Philadelphia 76ers (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
