WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers took care of the first part of their LA trip on Sunday with a 113-112 win over the Lakers, and now comes part two on a Tuesday. Joel Embiid has 35 points in that one and now his 27-16 Sixers take on the 23-22 LA Clippers tonight. The Clippers took down Houston on Sunday, 121-100 on the back of 31 points in 41 minutes from Terance Mann.
As always, one of LA’s two stars will be out for this one, Paul George is missing with a hamstring injury. Perhaps because of that injury, Philly is a slight favorite on the road.
Sixers vs. Clippers odds, spread and total
Sixers vs. Clippers prediction and pick
No Paul George is absolutely a concern for LA, but they’re no stranger to playing without one of their two best guys. His injury severely limits their offense, which is already 29th in the league in points per game and 28th in offensive rating. Even Kawhi Leonard, who has played 21 games this year, is only averaging 19.0 points per game in those outings. It doesn’t appear he can still carry an offense like he once did in Toronto when he almost single-handedly took out Embiid and the Sixers in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Typically the Lakers get teams in the second game of their LA stint which is seen as an advantage, but this time the Clippers will see Philly after they’ve spent a few days out in southern California. However, the Sixers won’t be antsy to leave because their next two games after this are still out on the West Coast. There isn’t really any statistical case to take this mediocre Clippers team, they’re worse in offensive and defensive rating, they’re 28th in assist percentage over their last five games, and they play at a slower pace than Philly.
Take the Sixers to go 2-0 in Los Angeles after barely beating Lebron’s Lakers on Sunday.
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