Date/Time: 01-25-2020, 20:30 EDT / 01:30 GMT
Spread: Philadelphia 76ers +4.5 Total: +217.5
The team with the best record currently in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers (36-9), who saw their top scorer and rebounder Anthony Davis return to the lineup and have lost only once in their last 4 games, are visiting a playoff contender from the East, the Philadelphia 76ers (29-17), who on the other hand are looking to bounce back after their latest defeat.
76ers have a 29-17 record (19-23-4 against the spread) and are sitting in the 6th place of the East. In their last game they saw a four-game winning streak end with a road loss against the Raptors, 95-107. Joel Embiid leads the team both in scoring with 23.4 ppg and in rebounding with 12.3 per game but he is out with an injury. Tobias Harris follows with 19.3 ppg and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Lakers have a 36-9 record (24-20-1 against the spread) and are sitting on top of the West. They are 3-1 in their last 4 matches and in their last game they won on the road against the Nets, 128-113. Anthony Davis leads the team both in scoring with 26.3 ppg and in rebounding with 9.1 per game. LeBron James follows with 25.1 ppg, 7.6 rebounds and a league-best 10.8 assists per game.
Sixers won both meetings against the Lakers last season (at home by 23 points and on the road by 16). Sixers are 20-2 at home, while the Lakers are 20-4 on the road. The Lakers are better offensively (114 to 108.4 ppg), while the Sixers are better defensively (105.1 to 106.2 ppg). The Lakers have better percentages both in field goals (48.4% to 46.6%) and in 3-pointers (36.3% to 35.4%). On the other hand, the Sixers are better in assists made (26.4 to 25.9), while both teams are very close both in rebounding (46 to 45.7) and in turnovers committed (14.6 to 14.8). The Sixers have been one of the best home teams in the league but they will be missing their star player. Expect the visiting Lakers to get away with the road win one way or another.
Lakers vs 76ers Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-109)
