The Lakers (30-19) are back in Los Angeles, where they play their next eight games, starting with the Philadelphia 76ers (29-21). This is the final meeting between both teams this season.
Start time and TV schedule
When: 4:30 p.m. PT, Feb. 5
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers had perhaps their most dominant win of the season against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. They concluded their eight-game Grammy road trip with a 5-3 record, which is respectable considering the teams they played and the injuries they’ve been dealing with.
What matters now is that they begin stacking wins and finish strong before the All-Star break arrives.
The Sixers enter this contest currently on a five-game winning streak. One of the reasons they’ve been playing so well is because Joel Embiid has been terrific, averaging 33.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
It also helps that he’s surrounded by two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, who has had an incredible season.
Philadelphia’s strengths are speed, athleticism, and size, all things that LA struggles to handle. Containing Maxey will be key for the Lakers in this one, as they have to make sure he doesn’t pop off. Deandre Ayton — who is expected to play more minutes due to Jaxson Hayes’ suspension — will most likely take the responsibility of defending Embiid and that will also play a role in the game’s outcome.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Sixers — who have the league’s 14th-best defense — game plan against Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. It’ll be nice to see these three take over the offense again, which will be crucial to their success on Thursday night.
Let’s see if they can snap the Sixers’ losing streak on Thursday.
