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Gone is that aura the LA Lakers had after their 3-0 start to the season. Their nightmare 1-4 road trip didn't just see them lose four games. They have Anthony Davis on the injury list and there's point guard tension with D'Angelo Russell's "lack of compete" that saw JJ Redick mince no words.
More importantly, the last eight games have shone the spotlight on all their glaring flaws that were legitimate concerns heading into the 2024-25 season.
The silver lining for LA is that its opponents have been struggling as well. The short-handed Philadelphia 76ers head to the Crypto.com Arena on Friday (Nov. 8) hoping to snap their four-game losing streak after a putrid 1-6 start to their campaign. They will be without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, making it easier for the Lakers to get back to winning ways if they play their brand of basketball right.
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Friday's showdown will be all about momentum. Both teams have nothing going right for them, yet. But a win will mean having that start to build and make their way back to the top. The Lakers, at one point, were top of the West, but are now pushed down to 10th. The second bit of good news is that they are unbeaten at home. A comprehensive win on Friday will set the tone for a three-game homestand starting against the 76ers.
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Philadelphia will now bank on Paul George to deliver. The seasoned wing opened his Philly career with a loss to the Phoenix Suns and then to his former side, the LA Clippers. Nick Nurse's outfit will hope to end their three-game road trip on a high note before jetting home for their three-game home stretch.
Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers preview, predicted starting lineups, betting tips, odds, and prediction
The Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers marquee matchup tips off at 10 pm ET. The game will be televised on ESPN. Local coverage will be on SportsNet LA and NBCS-PH. The game can be streamed live on Fubo TV (regional restrictions may apply) and on the NBA App with a subscription to the NBA League Pass.
Here are the odds as listed at the time of writing.
Note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off.
Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers preview
For the second time this season, JJ Redick banged the mic on the table and exited the postgame press conference. What Redick has been so far is just an extension of who he was as a player — accountable, meticulous, and wearing his heart on his sleeve. As for the Lakers, the results will go their way the sooner they rectify their errors.
LA faithful will still take their 4-4 run so far. It was better than how they started their last couple of seasons, but it is clear this side needs help on both ends of the floor. Much has been shouldered by LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the rest of the unit has been erratic and inconsistent on both ends of the floor.
There are a few questions for the Purple and Gold leading up to the game on Friday. Can D'Angelo Russell explode for a solid game? It would not just stave off the trade talk but also give his confidence a world of good. The guard has endured a rough start to the season and his defensive lapses coupled with hero ball play distinctly show the pressure situation he's in.
Then comes Davis' ability. Will Redick rest his superstar for another game? The center has been upgraded to probable. His injury has been diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, an issue that plagued him at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Up next is their rotation. Will Gabe Vincent's defensive versatility earn him more minutes and see him replace Russell in the lineup? Or will the latter be on a minute restriction? For now, the Lakers' defense needs to shore up more so than their offense. Adding Vincent would mean bolstering their forces on that end of the floor.
The 76ers have issues, too. Joel Embiid's suspension couldn't have come at a worse time. Add Tyrese Maxey's injury to the list and they are already a team in danger of losing another one. They are at the bottom of the East standings. Their offense has blown hot and cold and they are ranked 24th on that front with just 109.2 points for every 100 possessions.
Their defense has been forgettable as well as they allow their opponents to score at least 117.9 points to put them in the 23rd position. Not only do they need more production from the bench, but they will also have to be reliant on George to have a big game every night. Their transition defense is an issue, and they don't have the rim protection and two-way play that Embiid offers. Maxey's pace and accuracy are now another sore absentee for Philly.
Essentially, this is a contest between two teams who have similar issues. The need of the hour is to fix flaws and the question is which team can do it better.
Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers predicted starting lineup
The LA Lakers will likely go with Dalton Knecht in the lineup to replace Rui Hachimura if the forward is rested for another game.
LA Lakers Injury Report (Nov. 8): Anthony Davis (heel) and Jaxson Hayes (knee) are probable. Hachimura (illness) is questionable, while Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood (knee) are out.
The 76ers will mostly field the same lineup as their last game against the Clippers with Kyle Lowry replacing Maxey.
Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report (Nov. 8): Joel Embiid (league suspension) and Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain) are out.
Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers betting tips
All eyes will be on James who is listed with an o/u of -113/-113 on points. Anthony Davis is -113/+102 on point. Paul George is -111/-115 for the Sixers.
Philadelphia 76ers vs LA Lakers prediction
The LA Lakers have a better chance of winning given their offense that stands a fairly good chance when compared to Philly's. Both teams have their chinks in the armor to sort out, but take the Lakers for a win on Friday to go 4-0 at home.
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