Lakers host 76ers, seek rare winning streak (Mar 12, 2017)
LOS ANGELES -- After snapping an eight-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to win two straight contests for the second time this year when they face the banged-up Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at Staples Center.
Los Angeles (25-40) ended their skid Thursday with a 122-110 romp over the host Phoenix Suns. Six Lakers reached double figures in scoring with point guard D'Angelo Russell leading the way with 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Russell also had three steals.
Since the All-Star break, Russell is averaging 21.9 points, five assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Lakers coach Luke Walton was more impressed with Russell's defense, which isn't one of his strengths, against the Suns.
"He ended up having a great all-around game for us," said Walton, whose club halted an eight-game slide in Phoenix. "That starts with doing things the right way. He started the game doing that on the defensive end. It led to the type of game he had. He definitely was the leader of the group tonight."
Said Russell: "Everybody did their job."
A win over the 76ers would allow the Lakers to capture two in a row for the first time since Jan. 6 and 8 when they defeated the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. Only four times this season has Los Angeles claimed consecutive wins, with the other two occasions occurring in November.
The Lakers, who reside in the basement of the Western Conference standings, captured two consecutive victories against the 76ers, earning a 100-89 victory on Dec. 16 at Philadelphia in their last meeting.
Overall, Philadelphia (23-42) has lost four in a row and seven of its last eight games. The 76ers fell 112-100 on Saturda yto the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples. Richaun Holmes had a career-best 24 points with 10 rebounds, while Dario Saric scored 16 points for the 76ers, who have dropped 10 of their last 11 contests to the Clippers and the past five at Staples.
The 76ers led 79-75 entering the fourth quarter but were outscored 37-21 in the final frame.
"We played well, we led at the half and after three quarters," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. "Chris Paul is one of my favorite all time players and you saw him physically take command of the game in the fourth quarter."
In addition to the string of losses, injuries have hampered Philadelphia for much of the season. They already lost Joel Embiid (knee) and Ben Simmons (acute fracture, right foot) for the rest of the season, and are playing without Tiago Splitter (right calf strain) and Jerryd Bayless (left wrist surgery).
However, despite the disappointments and being the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers improved on last season's 10-72 campaign.
On Saturday, the Lakers signed reserve guard David Nwaba to a second 10-day contract. The 6-5 Nwaba is averaging 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in five games since being called up Feb. 28 from the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.
