Philadelphia 76ers (7-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (5-9)
Let’s face it, the national media will portray this contest as something it is not. Close. Dramatic. On one hand, it will be Lonzo Ball vs Ben Simmons. On the other hand, it will be Lonzo Ball vs. Markelle Fultz. Finally, it will be every Ball vs Joel Embiid. In the end, this is the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Daily Knicks
The Lakers fans will be somewhat disappointed in their team by the time the Philadelphia 76ers arrive. The presumption that the Lakers are a playoff team will begin to crumble by mid November. And the visiting Philadelphia 76ers have two incentives in this game. Team leader Joel Embiid is already miffed at the Ball family, and will likely be particularly dominating in this game. Plus the team owns the Lakers 2018 first round pick. So winning this game will help the overall team in the upcoming draft as well.
Lakers fade begins mid-November
Offensively, the Philadelphia 76ers are the better team. Defensively, the Lakers appear to be better. But the Lakers had some less than offensively oriented teams in the early going of the season, and benefited from their defensively charged opponents. They will face an offensively charged 76ers team in mid November. With the Sixers sandwiched by two games against the perennially disappointing Phoenix Suns, don’t expect the Lakers to rally in this one.
The Los Angeles Lakers have no perimeter game, so they need to win the game in the paint. The problem? They must do it against Joel Embiid.
That’s not happening. Not with all the Ball family on the court simultaneously.
Summary
The Philadelphia 76ers enter the five game road trip with a hope to emerge at or better than .500. Based on this game by game analysis, the 76ers will do just that, returning to Philadelphia with an 8-6 record and aiming at a six game homestand against some very formidable opponents.
While 8-6 is not a championship record, it is a very strong base for a young team which improves with each game. Once more, the team hasn’t had the benefit of a top pick prospect nor a solid role player. Plus, the ignominious exclusion of both Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas from the rotation.
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The Philadelphia 76ers are indeed a playoff team, perhaps a better team than most want to admit. While this may not be “their year”, it is a statement season indeed.
Road warriors? You bet. Anyplace, anytime, anyone.