Philadelphia (37 - 30)

Expert Pick
0% ><···················· 100%

LA (42 - 25)

Fighting for position


Setting the scene With 4 weeks left, this matchup seems pivotal in both teams fight for playoff seeding. This years jostling for playoff positions seems tighter than it ever has been before, and while at least making the play ins seems all but assured for both of these franchises, both gm’s no doubt have their sights set much higher. Los Angeles After coming so close to a championship the season prior, Los Angeles has re-tooled, moved on its veteran stars and found itself with a roster filled with youthful exuberance, and plenty of current and future star power. It’s been masterful work by GM JustinG to bring a bright future to LA while still looking like one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference. While a raft of injuries slowed them early, the Lakers finally got healthy and have been flying up the standings ever since. Currently they sit 3^rd in the Western Conference, just 4.5 games back from the number 1 seed. Philadelphia Long known for stability and playing the long game with a bunch of second round flyers and euro stashes, GM Nenjabin pushed a lot of chips in this season, seemingly ready to go for broke in a growing Eastern Conference. And boy did the team look dangerous at times, with a clean bill of health, the Sixers had a great balance of experience and energy on both sides of the ball, to go with a strong and capable bench. Then the injury bug hit, wiping out two of their best players for the season. However, this version of the Sixers has shown grit and determination to carry on. Currently they sit 8^th in the Eastern Conference, just 2 games back from the 6seed. Matchups PG: Cade Cunningham vs Markelle Fultz The crown jewel and the most prized possession of GM Justin vs the astute mid-season free agency pickup. Fultz was brought along to try and replace the injured DeJonte Murray, it cost a max bid and he has done as well as can be expected so far, but he will have his hands full with the sizeable two way star that is Cade Cunningham. I think Cunninghams size and class will win out here. SG: Amen Thompson vs Jalen Green The two athletic young studs will go head to head here. Thompson has taken a huge leap this year, growing his offensive game and looking like a two way stud of the future. Jalen Green has also continued to show his offensive prowess, needing to step it up even further now with the extended absence of Paul George. I think this will be the best matchup of the night, with the Sixers needing Green to get on top. SF: Kawhi Leonard vs Ryan Dunn The elder statesmen of the Lakers vs the rookie defender. Dunn has looked every bit of a Nenjabin guy, putting defense above all else. Kawhi was seemingly shopped a lot for younger guys while dealing with injuries, but is now enjoying some extended health and trying to lead this team on both sides of the ball. Both guys will struggle to get free but Kawhi has a lot more tricks. PF: Wendell Carter Jr vs Draymond Green The lengthy plug and play big up against the craft defensive veteran. Carter Jr has found himself in and out of the starting lineup this year, playing where needed, but probably looking most comfortable as a 6^th man. Draymond is back for another tour in Philly, and continues to bring savvy defense and playmaking at the forward positions. Draymond will use every bit of his basketball IQ to win this one. C: Chet Holmgren vs DayRon Sharpe Two young bigs, with very different journeys, but similar experience will go at it. Sharpe has always been an intriguing prospect with great rebounding ratings, who has seemingly always been overlooked for more experienced bigs. Holmgren has had a lot of injuries so far, and has had trouble getting extended runs of games and opportunity to increase his size and strength. Another fun matchup, Chet will enjoy not having to take hits from an older and stronger Steven Adams.

Setting the scene

With 4 weeks left, this matchup seems pivotal in both teams fight for playoff seeding.

This years jostling for playoff positions seems tighter than it ever has been before, and while at least making the play ins seems all but assured for both of these franchises, both gm’s no doubt have their sights set much higher.

Los Angeles

After coming so close to a championship the season prior, Los Angeles has re-tooled, moved on its veteran stars and found itself with a roster filled with youthful exuberance, and plenty of current and future star power. It’s been masterful work by GM JustinG to bring a bright future to LA while still looking like one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference. While a raft of injuries slowed them early, the Lakers finally got healthy and have been flying up the standings ever since. Currently they sit 3^rd in the Western Conference, just 4.5 games back from the number 1 seed.

Philadelphia

Long known for stability and playing the long game with a bunch of second round flyers and euro stashes, GM Nenjabin pushed a lot of chips in this season, seemingly ready to go for broke in a growing Eastern Conference. And boy did the team look dangerous at times, with a clean bill of health, the Sixers had a great balance of experience and energy on both sides of the ball, to go with a strong and capable bench. Then the injury bug hit, wiping out two of their best players for the season. However, this version of the Sixers has shown grit and determination to carry on. Currently they sit 8^th in the Eastern Conference, just 2 games back from the 6seed.

Matchups

PG: Cade Cunningham vs Markelle Fultz

The crown jewel and the most prized possession of GM Justin vs the astute mid-season free agency pickup. Fultz was brought along to try and replace the injured DeJonte Murray, it cost a max bid and he has done as well as can be expected so far, but he will have his hands full with the sizeable two way star that is Cade Cunningham. I think Cunninghams size and class will win out here.

SG: Amen Thompson vs Jalen Green

The two athletic young studs will go head to head here. Thompson has taken a huge leap this year, growing his offensive game and looking like a two way stud of the future. Jalen Green has also continued to show his offensive prowess, needing to step it up even further now with the extended absence of Paul George. I think this will be the best matchup of the night, with the Sixers needing Green to get on top.

SF: Kawhi Leonard vs Ryan Dunn

The elder statesmen of the Lakers vs the rookie defender. Dunn has looked every bit of a Nenjabin guy, putting defense above all else. Kawhi was seemingly shopped a lot for younger guys while dealing with injuries, but is now enjoying some extended health and trying to lead this team on both sides of the ball. Both guys will struggle to get free but Kawhi has a lot more tricks.

PF: Wendell Carter Jr vs Draymond Green

The lengthy plug and play big up against the craft defensive veteran. Carter Jr has found himself in and out of the starting lineup this year, playing where needed, but probably looking most comfortable as a 6^th man. Draymond is back for another tour in Philly, and continues to bring savvy defense and playmaking at the forward positions. Draymond will use every bit of his basketball IQ to win this one.

C: Chet Holmgren vs DayRon Sharpe

Two young bigs, with very different journeys, but similar experience will go at it. Sharpe has always been an intriguing prospect with great rebounding ratings, who has seemingly always been overlooked for more experienced bigs. Holmgren has had a lot of injuries so far, and has had trouble getting extended runs of games and opportunity to increase his size and strength. Another fun matchup, Chet will enjoy not having to take hits from an older and stronger Steven Adams.

76ers Star

Jalen Green
Green found his way to Philly last season and his solid play was rewarded with a contract extension in the offseason. Supposed to be one of a trio of stars in the Sixers backcourt, Green now stands somewhat alone with his running mates DeJonte Murray and Paul George sidelined indefinitely. Currently ranked as the 33rd best player in the league and the offensive load now on his shoulders, Jalen must overcome a similarly athletic Amen Thompson to give the Sixers a chance here.

PPG 26.9

RPG 3.9

APG 3.0

SPG 0.7

BPG 0.4

FPG 1.6

TPG 1.5

PPG 27.2

RPG 4.4

APG 4.6

SPG 0.5

BPG 0.6

FPG 2.4

TPG 1.9

Lakers Star

Cade Cunningham
Cunningham is the star of the show in LA and the only starter that remains from last seasons Western Conference finalists. He has enjoyed a terrific season which was recently rewarded with an all-star selection. And currently ranks as the 25^th best player in the league. He has improved most facets of his game this year and with the matchup against Markelle Fultz, who is still finding his feet after some time out of the league, Cunningham should be looking to dominate.

X-Factor
The Lakers size will likely worry an undermanned Sixers here with height advantages at almost every position. As we know from seasons past, size matters in this game.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Zion Williamson (Hamstring/Illness/Personal/Back) - 32 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Amen Thompson (returning from Calf/Shoulder/Ankle) - 11 NBA Games missed this season Jae Crowder (returning from Back) - 4 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Ariel Hukporti (Ankle/Knee) - 16 NBA Games missed this season Ajay Mitchell (Toe) - 39 NBA Games missed this season Dejounte Murray (Hand/Elbow/Achilles) - 43 NBA Games missed this season Jordan Clarkson (Heel/Foot/Knee/Injury Management/Illness) - 37 NBA Games missed this season Steven Adams (Knee/Migraine/Ankle/Wrist) - 16 NBA Games missed this season Paul George (Knee/Injury Management/Groin/Ankle/Finger/Adductor) - 32 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Zion Williamson (Hamstring/Illness/Personal/Back) - 32 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Amen Thompson (returning from Calf/Shoulder/Ankle) - 11 NBA Games missed this season
Jae Crowder (returning from Back) - 4 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Ariel Hukporti (Ankle/Knee) - 16 NBA Games missed this season
Ajay Mitchell (Toe) - 39 NBA Games missed this season
Dejounte Murray (Hand/Elbow/Achilles) - 43 NBA Games missed this season
Jordan Clarkson (Heel/Foot/Knee/Injury Management/Illness) - 37 NBA Games missed this season
Steven Adams (Knee/Migraine/Ankle/Wrist) - 16 NBA Games missed this season
Paul George (Knee/Injury Management/Groin/Ankle/Finger/Adductor) - 32 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
The Sixers have shown so much grit and determination to continue to take big scalps in their quest to finish as high as possible in the East, but I think the injury list is just too long this week and probably leaves them a little short of the fire power and size to beat this streaking Lakers team. Lakers by 11

Prediction

The Sixers have shown so much grit and determination to continue to take big scalps in their quest to finish as high as possible in the East, but I think the injury list is just too long this week and probably leaves them a little short of the fire power and size to beat this streaking Lakers team.

Lakers by 11

		Comments (3)
JustinG 04/01 04:49 pm	Good luck Ben!
Nenjabin 03/31 10:56 pm	Thanks for the write up and good luck Justin!
JustinG 03/31 05:57 pm	Nice write up!

	SAC	119
	OKC	117

	CHA	85
	MIN	93

	SA	94
	LAL	101

	MEM	105
	DEN	112

	MIL	116
	IND	93