Here is what you need to know before the Lakers being their two-week road trip in Philadelphia.
1) This game marks the first on the road for Kobe Bryant since announcing his upcoming retirement, and it fittingly takes place in his hometown. The 20-year veteran grew up in Philadelphia, where he attended Lower Merion High School before immediately jumping to the NBA and beginning his legendary career in purple and gold.
Due to injury, Bryant hasn’t played in Philadelphia in three years.
“It’s going to be beautiful,” Bryant said at his postgame presser on Nov. 29. “So much of my game was developed in Philadelphia. Lower Merion High School, Coach (Gregg) Downer. Playing in the Sunny Hill League. So many great coaches. Playing at Tustin Playground and all these things. Just so many great memories there. It’s going to be a very, very special moment.”
2) The 76ers are trying to avoid making unenviable history, as they are in danger of becoming the first team to ever begin the season with 19 consecutive losses. So far, Philadelphia is last in the league in scoring (90.8) and turnovers committed (17.9).
3) The Sixers have already used eight different starting lineups due to various injuries, including to Joel Embiid, Carl Landry, Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten — all of who have yet to play this season. Plus, Nerlens Noel is listed as questionable against L.A. due to right knee soreness.
4) Despite their record, the 76ers have been one of the NBA’s top defensive teams down low. They have held opponents to an NBA-best 46.4 percent shooting at the rim, while also ranking third in blocks (6.9).
5) However, the Sixers have also been victimized by swats. Opponents are averaging 7.4 per game, which is on track to be the most since Orlando saw 8.0 shots a night sent back 25 years ago.
6) Bryant isn’t the only Laker having a bit of a homecoming. Lou Williams played his first seven seasons for the Sixers from 2005-12, and Nick Young also played in Philadelphia in 2012-13 — his last year before joining the Lakers.
7) Should Noel be able to play, this matchup will feature two of the league’s top young bigs. Noel ranks second among sophomores in rebounding (8.4), just behind L.A.’s Julius Randle (8.6). The two are also tied for the most double-doubles among second-year players with five apiece.
8) No possession is safe with Robert Covington on the floor, as he has 21 steals in his last three games, making him the first to do so since Kendall Gill in 1999, per Elias Sports Bureau. He is also the first with at least six swipes in a trio of contests since Alvin Robertson in 1986.
9) Though he went undrafted in June, T.J. McConnell has been on a mission to prove that he belongs in the NBA. The Arizona product currently leads all rookies in assists (6.2), while clocking in at second in steals (1.3).
10) This matchup also features two of the draft’s headliners. Second-overall pick D’Angelo Russell will face off against Jahlil Okafor, who was selected immediately after him. Okafor leads all rookies in scoring (17.5 ppg) and the entire NBA in post-up points (6.4).
