It’s a light night in the NBA on Thursday as the Lakers-76ers game in Philadelphia is one of only two matchups.  The Lakers are rolling into the city of Brotherly Love in the midst of a six-game Eastern Conference road swing that saw them down Brooklyn 106-96 on Tuesday.  The Sixers have also been off since Tuesday when they took out New Orleans 117-107 at home.

Philadelphia is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 218.0.

Lakers vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds

This is the first of two meetings between these teams this season, with the Sixers set to travel to L.A. on March 23.  Philly swept last year’s season series and have taken five of their last six against the Lakers.  Almost three quarters of Sports Interaction bettors are on the 76ers in this one, with over 80 per cent of action taking the Over.

L.A. currently sits out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference in large part due to a subpar 9-12 road record this season.  They’ve also been a bad cover option, going 20-28 against the spread overall, including 10-11 ATS on the road.  The Lakers have failed to cover in five of their last six games against Philadelphia.  The total has gone Over in seven of L.A.’s last 10 games overall and four of their last five on the road.

The 76ers sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings and come into Thursday with straight up wins in 12 of their last 15 games.  They’re 24-23 ATS for the season, but just 8-13 ATS at home.  Philly has, however, managed to cover in nine of their last 13 games.  The total has gone Under in six of the Sixers’ last seven games against Pacific Division teams.

Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis was eased back into the lineup on Tuesday after missing the previous 18 games with a knee injury.  Davis finished with eight points in 25 minutes for a Lakers squad that went 8-10 in his absence.  LeBron James tied James Harden with a game-high 33 points as Brooklyn was missing both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.  James, who is second in the NBA with 29.1 points per game, also added seven rebounds and six assists.  Malik Monk had 22 points, including six 3-pointers, and five rebounds off the bench.

Expect the Lakers to be aggressive with Davis as he works his way back to full game shape.  Already on the hot seat in L.A., head coach Frank Vogel has said he plans to give Davis plenty of minutes because there is limited practice time for full five-on-five workouts.

Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris both had monster performances against the Pelicans.  Embiid finished with a game-high 42 points and 14 rebounds, while Harris added 33 points and 11 boards.  The Sixers have benefitted from Embiid’s strong performance since Christmas.  Last year’s MVP runner-up is averaging 33.3 ppg over his last 19 appearances.  Philly has won 12 of 15 games since Boxing Day, with Embiid leading the team in scoring in all of those games and being the top rebounder 11 times during that stretch.  Embiid is third in NBA scoring, averaging 29.0 ppg for the season.

Seth Curry (ankle), Danny Green (hip) and Shake Milton (back) are all dealing with injuries.  Curry, who has missed the last two games, and Milton, who has missed the last 10, are both ruled out on Thursday.  Green, who has missed the last six games, is listed as questionable.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. 76ers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 30.57
Assists	James Harden 10.48
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 11.71
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.74
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.46

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.6
Assists	James Harden 8.58
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.7
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 100
Steals	Tobias Harris 1.08
Blocks	Tobias Harris 0.83

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

76ers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 30.57
Assists	James Harden 10.48
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 11.71
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.74
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.46

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.6
Assists	James Harden 8.58
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.7
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 100
Steals	Tobias Harris 1.08
Blocks	Tobias Harris 0.83

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)

day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Dwight Howard (C)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22

Philadelphia

Danny Green (SG)

day-to-day Knee - 12 / 05 / 22

Isaiah Joe (PG)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 11 / 05 / 22

Matisse Thybulle (SG)

Prob Thurs Foot - 11 / 05 / 22

Isaiah Joe (PG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 07 / 05 / 22

Georges Niang (SF)

Ques Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 22

Matisse Thybulle (SG)

Out Thurs Personal - 26 / 04 / 22

Matisse Thybulle (SG)

Out Sat Personal - 17 / 04 / 22

Jaden Springer (PG)

Prob Mon Knee - 15 / 04 / 22

Georges Niang (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 04 / 22

Charles Bassey (C)

Prob Mon Shoulder - 10 / 04 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Out Sun	Illness - 07 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Out Sun	Foot - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 04 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22	2-3	2-3	+ -
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 02 / 04 / 22	3-3	3-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Danny Green (SG)	day-to-day	Knee - 12 / 05 / 22	0-1	0-1	+ -
Green exited Thursday's game with a left knee injury, and he will not return.
Isaiah Joe (PG)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 11 / 05 / 22	0-1	0-1	+ -
Joe has a right ankle sprain, but it looks likely he will face the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Matisse Thybulle (SG)	Prob Thurs	Foot - 11 / 05 / 22	0-1	0-1	+ -
Thybulle is bothered by left foot soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Isaiah Joe (PG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 07 / 05 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Joe is hampered by a sprained right ankle, and it is unclear if he will battle the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Georges Niang (SF)	Ques Fri	Knee - 04 / 05 / 22	2-3	2-3	+ -
Niang is battling a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Matisse Thybulle (SG)	Out Thurs	Personal - 26 / 04 / 22	3-4	3-4	+ -
Thybulle has made a personal choice to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination, restricting his ability to only play in select road games. He will not be available for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Raptors.
Matisse Thybulle (SG)	Out Sat	Personal - 17 / 04 / 22	6-5	4-7	+ -
Thybulle has made a personal choice to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination, restricting his ability to only play in select road games. He will not be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Raptors.
Jaden Springer (PG)	Prob Mon	Knee - 15 / 04 / 22	7-5	5-7	+ -
Springer is hampered by a right knee contusion, but it expected that he will battle the Raptors in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Georges Niang (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 10 / 04 / 22	7-6	6-7	+ -
Niang is dealing with left patella tendinopathy, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Charles Bassey (C)	Prob Mon	Shoulder - 10 / 04 / 22	7-6	6-7	+ -
Bassey is hampered by a right shoulder pain, but it is likely that he will suit up versus the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.