Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers, currently ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 29-21 record, will take on the Los Angeles Lakers, who hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference at 30-19. This exciting matchup will unfold in Los Angeles on Thursday at 10 p.m. EST, where the 76ers will be looking to extend their current five-game winning streak.
Team Performance
At home, the Lakers have achieved a record of 12 wins against 8 losses. They average 25.1 assists per game, putting them eighth in the Western Conference, driven by standout Luka Doncic, who contributes 8.7 assists and an impressive 33.4 points per game. On the other hand, the 76ers possess a solid away record of 14-8 but have struggled against teams with winning records, going 11-17 in those matchups.
The Lakers score an average of 116.3 points per game, which slightly exceeds the 115.3 points allowed by Philadelphia’s defense. However, the 76ers have been efficient in their shooting, boasting a field goal percentage of 46.0%, although it’s somewhat lower than the 48.5% they’ve allowed their opponents this season. This will be the second encounter between both teams this season; in their previous meeting on December 8, the Lakers secured a narrow victory of 112-108.
Key Players
Key players for the Lakers include LeBron James, who averages 20.5 points and 5.4 rebounds while maintaining an impressive shooting percentage of 49.7% over his last 10 games. In contrast, Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a leader for the 76ers with an average of 28.9 points, coupled with 6.8 assists and two steals per game. Additionally, Kelly Oubre Jr. is making an impact with an average of 2.3 three-pointers made over the last 10 outings.
Recent Performance
In terms of recent performance, the Lakers have posted a record of 6-4 over their last 10 games, with averages of 115.6 points, 41.1 rebounds, and shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents, on average, managed to score 113.3 points per game during this stretch. Meanwhile, the 76ers have fared slightly better with a 7-3 record, averaging 117.0 points per game, 42.4 rebounds, and 48.1% shooting accuracy, while their opponents have scored an average of 113.8 points.
Injury News
In injury news, the Lakers will be without Adou Thiero, who is sidelined due to a knee injury. The 76ers will also miss their star center Joel Embiid, who is resting for injury management purposes. With both teams vying for an important win, fans can expect an exhilarating clash on the court.
