Philadelphia stays put at Staples Center as the 76ers (7-6) square off against the Los Angeles Lakers (6-8).
Thank you to the NBA schedulemakers for allowing this game to happen so soon. The Sixers and Lakers are two teams dedicated to youth, who have been connected the past few seasons for a couple reasons and finally has come full circle.
The first is the protected Lakers pick the Sixers owned and used to eventually leverage a trade for the No. 1 pick in this past draft. The second is both teams have rookie point guards who feast on defense in multiple facets and will be triple-double threats for years to come.
Ben Simmons and Lonzo Ball are similar in game types, if they’re dissimilar in body makeup, demeanor and how they go about producing. Both have already broken through the triple-double barrier and both seem to struggle shooting from the outside.
We know Ball will remain calm and cool, but it’s exciting to think how Simmons will handle the matchup against arguably the biggest threat to his Rookie of the Year honors. I’d prognosticate emphatic dunks coupled with primal yells from Simmons at some point in this game. Oh yeah, and the Sixers have that Joel Embiid guy.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 15
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles, California
Venue: Staples Center
TV Info: ESPN, NSPA
Live Stream: Watch ESPN, FuboTV
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Oddsshark lists the Sixers as 1.5 point favorites. It’s a close line, with the difference going to the slightly better team. The line is close enough that either way makes sense. I’d lean more toward Philly because they have the better matchup and better overall talent, but the Lakers play hard and don’t back down from anyone. It could be the sneaky best game of the night.