Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/9/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Friday, Dec 09, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Where to watch: ESPN

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: 76ers -3
FanDuel: 76ers -3.5
BetMGM: 76ers -3
Caesars: 76ers -3

Season record
Lakers: 10-13
76ers: 12-12

Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!

Lakers - 76ers preview, prediction and analysis


Lakers analysis
 
The Los Angeles Lakers’ season is going to be predicated on the health of Anthony Davis and LeBron James. If they’re playing, a good chance the Lakers are going to win. If they don’t, like the other night against the Toronto Raptors, they’re going to lose. Right now, I’d say pick your poison with them. But it appears the Lakers are getting their stars back after Davis (non-COVID illness) and James (ankle) sat out of Wednesday’s 126-113 loss in Toronto. After winning three in a row and looking to be back on track, the Lakers dropped the last two while also failing to cover as decent-sized underdogs. Though, at 12.5 points against Toronto, the reserves nearly pulled off the backdoor cover.
 
With their stars out, the Lakers got some solid balance in the scoring department. Seven players scored in double figures led by Russell Westbrook’s 16 off the bench. Thomas Bryant also chipped in with 16, but the Lakers just didn’t have the depth or the ability to counter Toronto’s big-time players. It also didn’t help matters that the Lakers shot an ungodly 7 of 33 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 15 times in the process.
 
The Lakers have turned around their fortunes at the books over the course of the last 10 games, going 6-4-0 against the spread despite failing to cover the last two losses. But in the three straight wins, L.A. was underdogs twice and still covered by double digits in those ATS victories. The Lakers will be slight dogs on Friday, but not by much.
 
76ers analysis
 
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently going through another one of those up-and-down stretches that convince you that they’re not really ready for contention this season. Three straight losses, also against the spread, have put the Sixers back at .500 heading into this pivotal matchup with the Lakers. Philadelphia got James Harden back after missing 14 games due to a strained right foot, but still found a way to lose 132-123 in double overtime to the Houston Rockets, if that makes any sense. Harden had 21 points, but he shot 4 of 19 from the floor and really had no answer for why he was so bad.
 
But it’s another sign of how weird this Sixers team really is. They should never lose when Joel Embiid is going for 39 points on 12 of 21 shooting, but he did turn it over five times. He and Harden combined to turn it over 12 times in the loss to the young Rockets. Tobias Harris also chipped in with 27 points, but they couldn’t overcome the 19 turnovers and the lack of defense when needed.
 
The Sixers covered six of seven before failing to do so in the last three. But when they’re at home, they find a way to turn it on. Philly has covered in seven straight at home and are also 6-2 ATS in their last eight Friday games. Things are pointing in the right direction for them.
 
Prediction
 
I’d normally take the Lakers knowing the two stars are back, and AD is a perfect matchup for Embiid. But I do wonder coming back in his first game off an illness, I don’t think AD is going to be the same player we saw him against Milwaukee and Washington. The Lakers are have lost eight straight against the spread after losing by 10 or more straight up. This seems like a great spot for Philly. 76ers by 8

Betting trends


76ers are 50-82 ATS at home in December since 1996.

Lakers are 5-17 ATS on the road after 2 straight losses the last 3 seasons.

76ers are 18-8 ATS when playing 4 games or less in 10 days the last 2 seasons.

Projected starting lineup


Lakers:
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

76ers:
PG: Shake Milton
SG: James Harden
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Joel Embiid

Injury report


Lakers: None

76ers: Tyrese Maxey (foot, out)

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Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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