NBA Betting – Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers
Every time there’s an interconference game we can say it’s a potential NBA Finals preview. But there are just a few matchups that realistically fit the bill. One of those takes place Wednesday when the NBA best Los Angeles Lakers visit the East leading Philadelphia 76ers. Thanks to a spotless 10-0 road record the Lakers own the top spot in the overall league standings and remain the favorite to repeat as holders of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Philly is coming off a loss to last-place Detroit and will look to improve its NBA best 9-1 home ledger. Bookmaker.eu offers a generous 100% CASH welcome bonus (limited time only - max bonus $1600).
Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Opening NBA Odds: Lakers -2, O/U Check Back Later
Lakers at 76ers TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
Winning on the road isn’t easy, but the Lakers have the remedy. Knocking off Cleveland, 115-108, last time out extended their streak of consecutive road successes to 10. They failed to cover the closing line for first time in six roadies falling to 7-3 ATS away from home. LA opened its current 7-game trip by knocking off Milwaukee and getting past Chicago. It’s been 11 months since the Lakers lost a true road game, falling at Memphis last February. Overall the Lakers are a league-best 14-4 SU and 10-8 ATS. The Sixers have navigated COVID postponements and virus-related health and safety protocols rather well. They had a three-game winning streak snapped by Detroit last time out, but still lead the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-6 overall. They are 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in their own barn this season helping the record.
Los Angeles Lakers
You can’t argue with the Lakers being the best team in the NBA. They continue to win games and have not (knock on wood) had to deal with COVID related issues. That was something LeBron James expressed early in the season saying the team is taking the virus and the season seriously. And with James dialed in the Lakers are poised for another championship run.
This current road trip has been all about LeBron. He was upset over not winning MVP honors last season and took it out on the reigning two-time winner in Milwaukee. James scored 34 points, his first 30-point game of the season, outshining Giannis Antetokounmpo in LA’s 113-106 victory. James was 6 of 10 from behind the arc and the Lakers shot 51 percent from distance for the game. We talk about how good the Lakers are defensively, they can also fill it up with one of the most efficient offenses. They shoot over 48 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from distance to average 114.3 points.
James had an even bigger night last time out in Cleveland scoring 21 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers overcame a deficit to win 115-108. James hit 7 of 11 triples in that game and was 19 of 26 overall. He scored more points in the final frame than the Cavs did (19). It’s scary to think the Lakers can be better than they are, but with James playing on another level that appears to be the case.
Philadelphia 76ers
With their starting five nearly intact the Sixers can also be better. They had a mini winning streak snapped by Detroit last time out playing without the services of Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with a sore back. Philly missed the big guy succumbing 119-104 in a contest they never led. Just how much do they miss Embiid? Well, he’s been out of the lineup four times and the Sixers are 0-4. It’s hard to take 27.7 points and 11.5 rebounds out of the lineup and not feel the effects.
The hope is that Embiid is ready to go on Wednesday. We didn’t get a clear picture of how the teams stack up last season when Embiid missed both games against LA. The teams split the season series with each winning at home. And the Wells Fargo Center has been a safe haven for the Sixers possibly giving them an edge in this game. They are 9-1 at home this season and 40-5 in their gym dating back to last season.
One thing COVID has done is allow Doc Rivers to see what he has on his bench. With a number of starters missing games due to health and safety protocols guys like Shake Milton, Tyrese Maxey and Isaiah Joe came up large when given the opportunity. That will take some stress off the starting five, which is arguably among the best in the NBA.
Bet Lakers at 76ers at BookMaker.eu
Having Embiid in the lineup certainly gives the Sixers a better chance of winning this game. And I expect to see the big guy after sitting out last game. Philly has done a nice job working through the distractions of the virus and they’ve built a formidable bench that could rival that of LA’s. And the Lakers can’t win every game on the road. The law of averages says that streak is about to end and the Sixers are the team to do it.
NBA Score Prediction: 76ers 112, Lakers 108
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
