NBA superstar LeBron James is not backing down in his fight with Father Time and at 38 years old plays as in his rookie days. However, it's still early in the season, and King James is well rested, making it questionable if he will be able to sustain the average of 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Tonight (November 27), James and his Lakers are visiting the Philadelphia 76ers for a cross-conference matchup.
Both teams had successful weekends, with Philadelphia winning 127-123 over the Thunder and Lakers outscoring the Cavaliers 121-115 on the road. The best sports gambling apps see the 76ers as a 4.5 point favorite, but also offer a 24.5 point prop bet on James with -125 odds for the Over and -105 betting line for the Under bet.
These teams have a competitive history with a 146-143 advantage in the head-to-head record for the Lakers. However, the team from Los Angeles capitulated in their 6 last encounters with the team from the city of Brotherly Love. Yet, this is a new season, and it is time to preview the best NBA prop bets and offered odds.
The Lakers Look Like a Compact Team
The Lakers have a 10-7 record and have won 4 out of their last 5 games. Anthony Davis is healthy, and with him on the court, the Lakers easily achieve double figures leads. Yet, LeBron is the best player on the team statistically in every category, except rebounds, where Davis has 12.1 rebounds a game. This team averages 112.9 points a game, sufficient to rank 16th in the NBA, and defensively they are solid, allowing 112.2 points a game, ranking 11th in scoring defense.
The supporting cast around James and Antony is contributing on a nightly basis with D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves, all recording double figures a night. The Lakers are most dangerous from within the arc, shooting 49.2% as a team, while their three-point effectiveness is 34.3%, which ranks them as 25th in the league.
The 76ers Have a Talented Roster
Philadelphia has an 11-5 record and is on the road for another playoff season. As expected, James Harden's departure did not influence the team negatively, and center Joel Embiid remains the pivotal player on the team. The 2022-23 MVP winner averages 32.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
Embiid is surrounded by a talented squad, with Tyrese Maxey dropping 26.4 points a night and Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, and Kelly Oubre Jr. all being solid role players, contributing to the 119.4 points per contest, ranking Philadelphia as the 5th best team in scoring offense. A further breakdown of their scoring prowess reveals they shot 47.2% from the floor as a team and 36% from the three-point line. The defense allows 112.9 points a game, making them the 13th-best scoring defense in the league.
Betting Prediction
The Lakers are slightly handicapped with injuries, and Rui Hachimura will sit out the game. The main duo, James and Davis will step onto the hardwood floor in Philadelphia. The best betting sites with free bets offer -192 odds on a moneyline wager for the home team 79ers, while the visiting Lakers receive +160 odds.
The underdog gets -105 odds to cover their +4.5 points spread, and the favorite -115 odds to cover their - 4.5 spread. The total is set at 231.5 points with -110 odds for the Over and Under bets. Philadelphia is healthy and playing at home, while the Lakers have a 3-5 on-the-road record this season. The 79ers should win this match up, and cover their spread.
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