The Lakers, who are in the middle of a seven-game road trip, are coming off a 109-94 win over the Indiana Pacers and are now 2-0 since the return of center Andrew Bynum. The 76ers also come in off a big win, as they downed the Los Angeles Clippers 105-91 on Wednesday, and will play their final home game before a long eight-game road trip that starts Saturday at Orlando.
Looking at the NBA spreads for tonight's game, the Lakers come in favored by five points over the 76ers.
The Lakers appear to be closer to regaining the form that got them off to an 8-0 start, and there is no question that Kobe Bryant will have his team ready to go tonight. Bryant was born in Philadelphia, and there is just something about playing well in your home town. It doesn't hurt that Bryant is coming off one of his best performances of the season, as he scored 31 points on 11-18 shooting and had a team-high six assists.
Andrew Bynum has played just 17 minutes in each of his first two games back, but it appears that little bit of rest that he is able to give Pau Gasol is already starting to pay dividends. Gasol scored 28 points in the Lakers win over the Pacers on Wednesday, and he has really played well against the 76ers with six double-doubles in his last seven games. Los Angeles also just added veteran big man Joe Smith, who figures to be a nice addition to this team.
The 76ers are playing their best basketball of the season right now and appear ready for the challenge of taking on the defending NBA Champions. Philadelphia has won seven of its last nine games, but still has a lot to prove, as its only win against a team with a winning record was against a struggling New Orleans Hornets team on Sunday.
Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala combined for 44 points...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
