Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Sixers and two other teams are just 2.5 games back from 1st in the East.
• The Lakers sit 9th in the Western Conference, not yet safe from the Play-In hopefuls below them.
• The Sixers won their last meeting with Los Angeles, 87-105.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Picks

Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers came out with some excellent showing over the course of their 2-2 road trip, but will be facing a different threat entirely against the Sixers. Touting an offence that is as dangerous in the paint as it is on the perimeter, Philadelphia look set to dominate the Lakers once again.

Pick:

Philadelphia 76ers def. Los Angeles Lakers

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Head-to-Head: Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers

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How Can the Sixers Beat the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t the most talented team in the NBA, but they are capable of success with the right conditions. For Philadelphia to win, they need to control the Lakers’ paint opportunities and force them into perimeter shots.

In losses, the Lakers are held to 44.5% shooting from the field and 32.7% from three-point range. When opponents put in strong rim-protecting and rebounding efforts, the Lakers have been easy to predict in their ranged shooting.

Ranking in the top third of the league in two and three-point field goal percentage allowed, the Sixers are well equipped to take down Los Angeles. However, as one of the league’s worst rebounding teams, the Sixers must exceed their usual effort on the glass to prevent Los Angeles additional opportunities.

Sixers Key Player: (C) Joel Embiid

7’0″ 280 LBS & these handles!
HBD @JoelEmbiid

pic.twitter.com/G11IVG8Q52

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 16, 2022

You don’t need to look too much further than Joel Embiid to determine how well the Sixers will do in a game. His performances through this season put him in the All-NBA tier once again, with his chances at MVP being higher than ever.

In his last game against the Lakers, Embiid posted 26 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks in 35 minutes of play. He was just 9 of 20 from the field, his shooting percentages brought down by a 0 of 5 night from three-point range.

If the Sixers want to dominate the Lakers again, Embiid must be in strong form. With a very thin front court, the Lakers are a team that Embiid seems primed to perform well against.

How Can the Lakers Beat the Sixers?

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers have similar star power, despite their records showing significant results. For Los Angeles to beat the Sixers, they’ll need to control Philadelphia’s offensive potential with a disciplined defensive effort.

With a team led by stars James Harden and Joel Embiid, the Lakers need to control them while also being able to close out on shooters. In wins, the Sixers assist on 24.5 of their 40.8 field goals, while averaging 113.8 points per game.

Los Angeles are not particularly strong at rotating defensively, leaving many open opportunities – evidenced by their 26th ranked free throw allowance rate. The Lakers will need to be able to contain the Sixers on at least one offensive front if they hope to come out with a victory.

Lakers Key Player: (F) LeBron James

Death, taxes, and LeBron James putting on a show in Cleveland. ? pic.twitter.com/JZSyz3DZBX

— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopNBA) March 22, 2022

LeBron James has been the hero for the Lakers through their recent 2-2 road trip. While they would’ve liked more victories, James has shown time and again that his age is not a detriment to his production.

Over the course of the Lakers’ four-game road trip, James has averaged 32.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 53.3% shooting from the field, but just 24.1% shooting from three. What’s been most notable about James is his off-ball movement, resulting in sustainable scoring that has propped up his numbers.

Against a team with impressive paint presence, don’t expect James to be as dominant in the paint as he has been in recent games. He’s shown that his shooting isn’t something to discount though, despite his recent form.

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