Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/27/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Where to watch: TNT

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Lakers: 24-24 (8th, Western Conference)

76ers: 28-19 (6th, Eastern Conference)

Anthony Davis is back, the Los Angeles Lakers are winning again, and all might be right with the world.

Can the Lakers replicate what they did on Monday, and do it again against the red hot Philadelphia 76ers?

We will find out on Thursday when the Lakers visit the 76ers and the person playing the greatest scorer of all time, Joel Embiid.

Davis had eight points in 25 minutes in his return to the lineup on Tuesday in a 106-96 victory in Brooklyn. He only shot 3 of 8 from the floor, but his presence was more than enough to offset a rusty shooting evening.

LeBron James continued his world dominance by scoring 33 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists on 14 of 21 shooting, and Malik Monk had 22 points in 28 minutes off the bench. The Lakers shot 47.2 percent from the field and only 12 of 38 from 3-point range, but getting Davis back was the top priority and to win such an emotionally charged game was great for a team needing confidence.

"Obviously right away you see what he's capable of," James said of his co-star. "We draw a play right to start the game, I was able to turn the corner and threw a late lob that he was still able to throw home. So very exciting to have him back."

It's not entirely all fixed for the Lakers at this juncture. They've still lost five of their last eight games, but have alternated wins and losses over the last six. So there's still a ways to go for the Lakers to eventually show that they are capable of being contenders for an NBA championship, but that all predicates on the health of Davis. Tuesday was a great way to get him back into shape and to see where he's at in the realms of a game.

The Thursday will present a much more difficult task for Davis and the Lakers as they go against the 76ers. Philadelphia has won three of four after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 117-107 on Tuesday night.

And of course, why wouldn’t it be Embiid leading the charge as he has done over the last number of games? Embiid scored over 30 points for the 14th time in 15 games, going for 42 points and 14 rebounds in the victory. You’d be hard-pressed to find a man literally walking the streets of Philadelphia with flames coming out of his head, but don’t be alarmed; it’s just Embiid.

In his past five games, the big man has gone for 32, 50, 40, 38 and 42 points. This month alone, Embiid has averaged 34.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and is shooting 54.8 percent from the floor. He’s going to be the Eastern Conference Player of the Month, likely facing the inevitable Western Conference Player of the Month in LeBron.

"That was one of my goals, just to be available," Embiid said after playing his 19th consecutive game. "Don't plan on stopping."

This will be the second game of a five-game homestand for the 76ers, and this might be the best chance to see where Embiid ranks as far as the MVP candidates are concerned. Much talk has gone to Nikola Jokic repeating as MVP, but we need to start looking at the Philadelphia big man in that conversation.

The Lakers have struggled heavily against the Atlantic Division over the past three seasons, going 7-18 against the spread and just 11-14 straight up. Los Angeles is 7-4 ATS this season when playing consecutive road games, as well.

The Sixers, meanwhile, are just 1-8 ATS after consecutive non-conference games, but are 8-2 ATS off a home victory; 5-1 ATS when it’s off a home win by 10 points or more. Davis is not quite where he should be, and that should open the door for Embiid to go to work and look like the most dominant player in the world yet again. I like Philadelphia by double digits and a 35-point, 10-rebound game for Embiid. 76ers by 12

The Lakers are 8-15 ATS off a win this season.

The Lakers are 6-14 ATS following a game they covered this season.

The 76ers are 13-7 ATS after playing at home this season.

The 76ers are 6-12 ATS following an over this season.

PG: Russell Westbrook

SG: Avery Bradley
SF: LeBron James 
PF: Stanley Johnson
C: Anthony Davis

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: Furkan Korkmaz
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid

Key injuries

Lakers: None

76ers: Seth Curry (ankle, out), Danny Green (hip, questionable)