The Los Angeles Lakers welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to the Staples Center. Action begins at 9:30 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 22 and can be seen on CSN-PHI and TWC SN.
The Lakers are are hoping for a better outcome after their 80-73 loss to the Jazz on Thursday. Ed Davis had a solid performance, recording eight points, eight rebounds, and one steal for Los Angeles. The 76ers, meanwhile, are coming off a 97-81 win against the Knicks on Friday. Nerlens Noel claimed his 13th double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
Noel has been hot over the last five games for the 76ers, averaging 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in the matchup. Los Angeles commits the fifth-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.9%), while Philadelphia’s disruptive defense causes the second-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.3%).
The odds for Los Angeles and Philadelphia are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Lakers have gone 17-50 Straight Up (SU) and 33-32-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a solid 7-3 ATS record over their last 10 games, but have not fared as well SU (1-9).
As for their opponent, the 76ers have a record of 35-32-2 ATS and 17-52 SU. Despite having a losing record against the Western Conference, Philadelphia is successful ATS in those games with a record of 15-9-1. The 76ers are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an NBA-best 9.8 steals per game.
This game marks the season’s first head-to-head clash between these two. Their previous game was a Lakers victory, bumping their SU record to 6-4 over the 76ers in their last 10 meetings. The 76ers lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Los Angeles held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Philadelphia was never able to do so in their most recent 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – PHI, ATS Winner – PHI
Notes
On average, Philadelphia scores 91.1 points per game (ranked 30th), while Los Angeles gives up 104.7 points per game (ranked 28th).
Philadelphia ranks 30th in points per away game with 87.2 points, while Los Angeles ranks 28th in points allowed at home with 103.0.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, Philadelphia has a 15-18 record. When Los Angeles scores fewer than 100, they are an abysmal 4-30.
When Philadelphia gives up at least 100 points, it has a subpar 2-34 record this season. Los Angeles also has a poor record when it hits triple digits (13-20).
The 76ers have an offensive rating of 92.0 (ranked 30th), while the Lakers rank 28th for their defensive rating of 106.7.
The Los Angeles Lakers average a field goal percentage of 43.5% this season. The Philadelphia 76ers have a subpar record of 2-40 when opponents have a FG% of 43.5% or greater.
On average, the Los Angeles Lakers attempt 18.8 three point field goals per game and the Philadelphia 76ers attempt 25.6 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, both teams have losing records; Los Angeles is 3-8 and Philadelphia is 6-31.
Los Angeles has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.65 this season (ranked 13th), while Philadelphia ranks lower at 30th with an A/TO of 1.19.
The Lakers rank ninth in rebounds per game with 44.1, while the 76ers rank 18th with 43.0 per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers rank eighth in offensive rebounding, while the Los Angeles Lakers rank 13th in defensive rebounding.
Philadelphia is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.3% (ranked second). Los Angeles has a subpar record of 1-9 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.3% or greater.
