Sixers matchups to watch: Lakers, Jan. 27
The Lakers are the ultimate litmus test — the defending champions, and the overwhelming favorites to repeat. LeBron James might win championships until he’s 40, and Anthony Davis is a bonafide MVP candidate. LA even improved the roster this offseason.
Generally speaking, the Sixers match up well here. Simmons is one of the few players who can match LeBron’s physicality on the wing, and Embiid is one of the few bigs who can battle AD inside. The Sixers also have some inside information in the form of Danny Green and Dwight Howard, who played with the Lakers last season.
Philadelphia has the size to combat the Lakers’ tall-ball, and the newfound shooting prowess to stretch out the Lakers’ imposing defense. Doc Rivers is familiar with the Lakers after last season, and the Sixers are likely to have the Lakers circled on the calendar. Any title hopes run through LA.
That said, the Lakers also signed Marc Gasol — a well-versed Embiid defender who has given the Sixers’ 7-footer fits in the past. And, with Dennis Schroder on the perimeter, the Lakers are no longer reliant on LeBron James and only LeBron James to create from the perimeter. There’s more potential for variety.
The Lakers are the NBA’s best team with arguably the NBA’s best player — possibly of all-time. Of course you should anticipate this game.