While many of us are currently overloaded with our usual dose of basketball via collegiate March Madness, the Philadelphia 76ers are going through a West Coast trip unseen at ungodly hours of the night by many of us. us on the East Coast. After a defeat Wednesday night in Phoenix, the Sixers now find themselves in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, tied for the record, but behind via the tiebreaker, with the seventh place Miami Heat, and a half-game back of the sixth. Indiana Pacers. Inspiring times, these are not.
With such tight margins and only 13 games remaining in the regular season, this road trip does not come at the right time for the Sixers. Tonight’s foe, the Los Angeles Lakers, is actually the worst opponent Philadelphia has faced in this four-game West adventure, with a record of 37-32. The Lakers enter tonight well-rested, having not played since Monday night’s 31-point home win over Atlanta. They continue to be without Jarred Vanderbilt (sprained foot), as well as Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood (both left knee surgery), but the most important thing to watch will be the status of their two All-NBA caliber talents . Anthony Davis is currently probable with an Achilles issue, and LeBron James is questionable due to his left ankle. Both players dressed on Monday, so I imagine they will be there tonight.
The first meeting between these clubs this season took place in November, a 138-94 home victory for the Sixers. Obviously, things were very different then due to the presence of a certain Joel Hans Embiid. At the time, Philadelphia had its preferred starting lineup of Maxey-Melton-Batum-Harris-Embiid, where the forward numbers are off the charts. Embiid and De’Anthony Melton remain out, as does Robert Covington, although at least we received clues about the return of Embiid and Covington. Tobias Harris is currently doubtful due to a sprained right ankle, with fans likely divided on whether or not his suit would be a good thing.
The main thing to watch tonight from Philadelphia’s perspective is whether Tyrese Maxey can bounce back from one of his worst performances of the season (just six points in 29 minutes against Phoenix). I’m sure the team will shoot better than 7 of 18 from the foul line, anyway.
Philadelphia will play in the same arena twice in three nights. They will probably have to win one of these competitions for the sake of the rankings. Given the injuries weighing on them, my optimism is not overflowing. Now, I’m not saying that you might be better off watching a 5-on-12 tonight, but I’m not going to tell you that you might not be either. We’ll see what kind of fight the Sixers have in them. Beat Los Angeles! Beat Los Angeles!
Game Details
WHO: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
When: 10:30 p.m. ET
Or: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA TV
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
