In the first of two NBA games on ESPN Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will travel to Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Nonetheless, it’s time to look at our 76ers-Lakers betting prediction, odds and more.
Among the favorites in the Eastern Conference to start the season, Philadelphia is just 5-5 over their last 10 games and boasts a 12-12 record this season. The Sixers are 7-5 at home though. Overall, injuries have been a cause, but the Sixers’ inability to score consistently has plagued their season.
As for the Lakers, they sit 13th in the West (only in front of San Antonio and Houston) but are 6-4 over their last 10 games. Los Angeles is 10-14 on the season and is just 4-8 on the road.
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NBA Odds: 76ers-Lakers Odds
76ers: -3 (-110)
Lakers: +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 224.5 (-110)
Healthy Lakers Are Starting to Heat Up
The Lakers have won three of their last five games, and most of their success has come on the back of forward Anthony Davis. Davis missed the team’s most recent loss against the Raptors and played just 8 minutes against the Cavaliers. Prior to that, he scored 99 points in the combined 2 games against the Wizards and Bucks. Davis should be 100% for Friday’s battle.
The Lakers are a completely different team with Davis healthy, and the star is listed as probable for Friday night. LeBron James is also probable. Los Angeles is 5-1 when Davis scored at least 30 points, and considering he’s done that twice in December, the former No. 1 overall pick should be aggressive while on the court.
The Lakers also have the 9th-best turnover rate, so if they can get an efficient Davis, Los Angeles should have a chance to pull off the upset. LA ranks 22nd in effective field goal rate, so his presence will be impactful given his ability to dominate around the rim.
Third-year guard Tyrese Maxey has consistently been the third-best scoring option for the 76ers this season, and he’ll miss the primetime Friday night showdown. James Harden and Joel Embiid are both set to play as is Tobias Harris, so most of the Sixers starpower will take the court.
While the Sixers do a lot of things right, they aren’t very strong in several areas. Philly ranks 28th in offensive rebounding rate, so it really doesn’t crash the glass and earn extra opportunities. The Sixers also rank 19th in turnover rate.
The key strength for the Sixers is in their shooting, sitting 12th in effective field goal rate. They also defend at a high level with many capable on-ball defenders. Another note for Philadelphia is it plays at the third-slowest pace in the NBA, often not taking transition opportunities but rather playing through Embiid and Harden in the halfcourt.
The Lakers have covered the last three games in which Davis has been at full strength, and it looks likely they’ll have him at 100% on Friday. Davis also has the length and size to compete against Embiid.
The Sixers, on the other hand, have failed to cover three straight games and are just 3-4 against the spread (ATS) over their last 7. Philly has given up 113 or more points in three straight games and struggled against Houston its last time on the court.
Simply put, the Lakers are playing at a higher level than the Sixers, especially when Davis is healthy, which he should be. For that reason, back the Lakers in this primetime battle.
Final 76ers-Lakers Betting Prediction: Lakers +3.5 (-110) at FanDuel | Playable to +3.0 (+100)
