NBA: Lakers, 76ers navigating difficulties of new season

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half during an NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

A pair of teams still trying to find their way in the early season will go head-to-head when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA on Friday.

The Lakers are a middling 4-4 and will return home from a 1-4 road trip that concluded Wednesday with a 131-114 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies. LeBron James scored a season-high 39 points.

LeBron was clearly emphasizing scoring with season highs in made baskets (15) and shot attempts (24). The Lakers star was trying to pick up his game with Anthony Davis (heel) and Rui Hachimura (illness) out of action.

READ: NBA: Anthony Davis says Lakers must be better amid injury concerns

The Lakers’ defense gave up at least 130 points for the second time on the trip as the Grizzlies shot 51.6 percent from the floor and made half of their 34 attempts from 3-point range.

“At the end of the day, especially when you lose bodies, you got to compete,” James said afterward. “You got to be out there giving it everything that you got and on both ends. There were times that we did that, but the majority of the time, I don’t think we sustained energy and effort.”

Austin Reaves scored 19 points and D’Angelo Russell had 12 while Los Angeles shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range, even as James was 6 of 11 from distance. Rookie first-round draft pick Dalton Knecht made his first career start but went 1 of 7 from beyond the arc.

READ: NBA: Grizzlies handle Lakers despite Ja Morant injury

“Something that we’ve discussed as a group (is) you have a choice every night for how you play and it has nothing to do with making shots,” new Lakers head coach JJ Redick said.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) protects the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The 76ers have been unable to get on track as 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid has yet to play in a game. A knee injury and now a three-game suspension for an altercation with a newspaper columnist will keep Embiid out of action through Sunday.

The latest setback occurred during the second half of Wednesday’s 110-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers when Tyrese Maxey departed with a right hamstring injury. According to ESPN, Maxey is expected to miss multiple weeks.

READ: 76ers fined $100k for misleading statements on Joel Embiid status

Philadelphia does have free-agent addition Paul George on the floor after he missed the first five games with a knee injury. Against his former team Wednesday, George scored 18 points with seven rebounds in 24 minutes.

While Wednesday was a chance for George to see his former teammates in their new arena, Friday will be about returning to the building where he played five seasons with the Clippers and averaged 23.0 points. The five-time All-Star is a native of nearby Palmdale, Calif.

“I think my execution is off. My rhythm, my timing, ball handling is just off,” George said. “… I’ll be better. I’m going to put the work in, but it is a rough patch I would say for myself and then I’ve got to be better for these guys.”

The Sixers shot 54.3 percent from the floor in the first half against the Clippers and were tied 51-51 at the break. But the Clippers outscored the Sixers 33-17 in the third quarter by shooting 70.6 percent.

“Just seemed like, 22 hours; felt like more than that to be honest,” Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said of dealing with Los Angeles’ ball-deny defense. “Obviously, 27 points off turnovers is just too many to give up.” –Field Level Media