Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, 1/1/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV:  TWSN
Opening Point Spread:  Los Angeles -10
Current Betting Line:  Los Angeles -8.5
Opening Total:  202.5
Current Total:  201.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Philadelphia is set to play the fifth game of a season-high eight-game road trip, as it comes off an 89-85 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers as three-point underdogs last Saturday.  “We have to have a game where we’re the team that jumps on early and survives a couple runs,” stated Sixers center Spencer Hawes.  The squad is 5-10 away from home this year, including a 2-4 mark versus Western Conference foes.  Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS as an underdog of 6.5 to 9 points, with the OVER going 4-2 in those contests.

The 76ers aren’t going to be one of the more popular NBA picks agains the spread Tuesday night, considering they’ve lost eight of their last 10 meetings with the Lakers.  Philadelphia dropped a 111-98 decision as three-point home underdogs on Dec. 16, while going OVER the posted total of 196.5.  The franchise has compiled a disappointing 4-11 record over its last 15 games, averaging 92.9 points and giving up 97.6 in that span.

Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games, including a convincing 104-87 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers as nine-point home favorites, while going UNDER the posted total of 205.5.  The Lakers are starting to come together offensively, averaging 107.1 points per game over that stretch, with point guard Steve Nash being involved in the last four.  “We’re obviously still a new team,” commented Nash.  The team finished the month of December with an even 7-7 record, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page on New Year’s Day.

The Lakers are 10-2 all-time when playing the 76ers at Staples Center, while guard Kobe Bryant has averaged 23.2 points per game in 30 career games in the series.  He finished last month with averages of 33.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 14 games played.  Center Dwight Howard is also picking up his production, recording five double-doubles in his last seven games.

Sports bettors will likely play the total, as the OVER is 14-3-1 in the Lakers last 18 games when playing on three or more days rest, while the 76ers have climbed above the number in nine of their last 11 games versus non-conference foes.

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