The Philadelphia 76ers take their act Hollywood on Tuesday night to take on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
After suffering a 110-126 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Philadelphia 76ers will get the needed boost when All-Star center Joel Embiid returns from a one game absence (rest) and swingman Jimmy Butler expected to return after a three game absence. Philly needs their stars back as they are on a four game road trip that began in Denver last Saturday.
Embiid has been a tower of power for the Sixers, averaging 27.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. Ben Simmons is averaging 16.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Butler has been a shot in the arm, scoring 19.0 points per game while also providing tough defense and clutch plays.
The Sixers are the 4th highest scoring team in the league at 115.6 points per game. Philadelphia is 2nd in passing at 27.5 assists per game and 4th in rebounding at 47.5 boards per contest. However, Philadelphia is only 22nd in scoring defense, allowing their opponents to score 112.2 points per game.
The Lakers have fallen out of playoff position with LeBron James saddled by a groin injury. James suffered the injury during the Lakers’ Christmas Day win over the defending champions Golden State Warriors. The team is 6-10 since the injury. James has resumed practicing with the team but isn’t expected to play on Tuesday night.
Without James, second year forward Kyle Kuzma has led Los Angeles with 19.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Brandon Ingram is also putting up 16.6 points per game and Kentavious Caldwell Pope is scoring 10.3 points per outing. Javale McGee is having a fine season with 10.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
The Lakers are 12th in the NBA in scoring at 112.3 points per game. The Purple and gold are 13th in passing with 24.6 assists per game and 5th off the glass at 47.2 rebounds per game. Los Angeles is also giving up 111.7 points per game, making them the 20th ranked team in the league in scoring defense.
The Sixers are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played. Philadelphia is 2-2 SU in their last four road games. The Lakers are 3-3 SU in their last six home games played. Head to head, the Lakers are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games against the Sixers.
The Lakers have managed to stay within striking distance while LeBron James continues to heal up. King James has returned to practice but there isn’t a timetable yet for his return. Los Angeles also recently lost Lonzo Ball to injury but Luke Walton is glad that Rajon Rondo is back. Still, they are one point guard short and for sure, that hurts a team which plays up tempo like they do.
However, the big absence here is LeBron James as without him, the Lakers have looked mediocre at best. Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart are also questionable for this game and the absence of one or both young stars could compound the Lakers’ woes.
The Sixers aren’t without injuries too. But Jimmy Butler, who’s missed three straight games, is reportedly suiting up against the Lakers on Tuesday. Butler certainly makes Philly more dangerous but even if he is a no-go, the Sixers still have Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. I think Embiid is going to be the difference maker here as Los Angeles will have no answer for him. That said, I’m picking the Philadelphia 76ers to beat the Los Angeles Lakers on 1/29/19.
Philadelphia is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played and the Sixers are 1-3 ATS in their last four road games. Los Angeles is 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games played and the Lakers are 2-3-1 ATS in their last six games played at the Staples Center. Head to head, the Lakers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Sixers.
The Sixers are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games against teams from the Pacific Division. Philadelphia is also bounced back well after suffering losses, going 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after a straight up loss and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss of over 10 points. The Lakers meanwhile are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games against Eastern Conference teams, 1-4 ATS in their last five games against teams from the Atlantic Division and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Prediction: Sixers -7
The over is 6-4 in the last 10 games played by Philadelphia. The over is also 13-11 in the 24 road games played by the Sixers. The total has gone under in seven out of the last 10 games played by the Lakers. Los Angeles has seen the total go under in five out of their last six games at home.
The under is 9-4 in the Sixers’ last 13 games after giving up 125 points in their previous game. The total has also gone under in four out of the last five games of Philadelphia after an ATS loss. On the other hand, the Lakers have played under the total in 31 out of 50 games played this season including eight out of their last 11 games played. Prediction: Under 231
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