76ers vs Lakers Props – Best Player Prop Bets on January 27th

• The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers meet in the NBA’s marquee Wednesday game
• Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons are all available
• Which player props present the best value?

The Lakers and Sixers matchup on Wednesday night. It is a clash of the NBA’s two conference leaders, a game in which the Lakers are favored by two points. All four All-Stars are expected to play this one with Joel Embiid and LeBron James among the early frontrunners for MVP.

Ben Simmons and Anthony Davis have endured some early season struggles. Tobias Harris has settled into a more suited role in the Sixers offense in the absence of Al Horford. We’ve picked out a couple of good value player props for Wednesday’s big game.

76ers vs Lakers Player Props

Odds taken on January 27th from FanDuel

Harris Gets His

Tobias Harris averages almost 20 points per game this season. He’s scored 17 or more in 12 straight games, and has gone over 17.5 in five of his last six. There’s reason for the relatively low points line – Harris will likely be matched up with Anthony Davis for a lot of possessions on Wednesday, and the Lakers are unlikely to double Joel Embiid as frequently as other teams, giving Harris less space.

The size of Harris’ contract has led to him becoming a tad underrated. Being overpaid is not the same as being ineffective. The former Clipper is an efficient scorer – he’s in the 82nd percentile in effective field goal percentage among forwards, just behind All-Star Khris Middleton and MVP candidate Kevin Durant. Of forwards to have shot more than 50 threes on the season, only Paul George is hitting them at a better rate.

The Lakers are a great defensive team. They are third in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage. It will be one of his toughest games of the season, but Harris is playing well of late. He’s hit nine threes over his last three outings, and eight times this season he’s passed the 20-point mark.

Harris to hit the points over is a good bet. The Davis factor is real, but there will be plenty of opportunities for Harris to matchup with weaker defenders when Montrezl Harrell is on the floor or Davis plays the five.

• Pick: Tobias Harris over 17.5 points (-118)

King James Turns Provider

LeBron James took over as a scorer against the Cavs. He will look to do the same against the Sixers, but it will not be as straight forward with Ben Simmons guarding him and Joel Embiid ready to meet him at the rim.

James has seen his assists drop this season with the additional ball handling of Dennis Schroder. Schroder, though, has had a rough stretch offensively – if that trend continues, he could spend a lot of time on the bench on Wednesday, leaving LeBron to run the point.

The Sixers are third in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage at the rim. While their defense has been strong, they have allowed a lot of threes (28% of opponent shots are non-corner three-point attempts). Philly have been guilty of leaving shooters open – teams are shooting over 38% from deep against them. That’s not a good sign against a Lakers team sitting fifth in the league in three-point percentage.

It’s unfair to reduce James’ playmaking to a drive-and-kick game, but it’s a great way to attack this Sixers defense. Embiid will hog the paint. James will have open shooters to hit, and the Lakers have the offense to take advantage of those shots.

The best version of the Lakers is still with LeBron as their lead playmaker. He asserted himself against the Bucks and registered eight assists. A similar performance is likely on Monday.

• Pick: LeBron James over 7.5 assists (-122)