Sixers at Lakers -- 10:30 p.m., CSN
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Last meeting
The Sixers couldn't contain Kobe Bryant in a 111-98 loss to the Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 16. Bryant scored a game-high 34 points on 12-for-21 shooting, dished out six assists and grabbed four rebounds for Los Angeles.
Jrue Holiday did not play in the contest because of a sprained left foot. Nick Young, who was inserted into the lineup with Holiday out, made six three-pointers and scored a season-best 30 points.
Records
Sixers: 14-17 (fourth in Atlantic Division, ninth in Eastern Conference)
Lakers: 15-15 (third in Pacific Division, 10th in Western Conference)
Previous games
Despite a game-high 29 points from Holiday, the Sixers fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 89-85, on Saturday. The Sixers made it a tight game late in the fourth quarter, but Nicolas Batum hit 3-of-4 from the foul line in the final 22 seconds to close the game out for the Blazers.
The Lakers also faced Portland in their last matchup. Bryant scored 27 points while Dwight Howard added 21 and a game-high 14 rebounds in a 104-87 rout of the Blazers on Friday.
Who's hot
Holiday continues to lead the way for the Sixers. The 22-year-old has recorded at least nine assists in each of the past four games and has scored at least 20 points in three of the past four.
Thad Young is averaging 17 points over his last six contests and has scored in double-figures in 21 consecutive games. The 6-foot-8 forward also has 15 steals in his last three games.
Bryant, who is leading the NBA in scoring at 30.1 points per game, averaged 33.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists in the month of December. With 27 points against Portland, Bryant's 10-game streak of 30-plus points ended.
Howard has five double-doubles in the Lakers' last seven games and is averaging 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds this season.
Who's not
Jason Richardson returned to the Sixers' lineup at Portland after missing the previous two games with a strained lower back. He scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in 22 minutes on the court. Over his last 13 games played, however, Richardson is shooting just 27.4 percent from three-point range.
From Nov. 16 through Dec. 19, Evan Turner reached double-figures in scoring in 17 consecutive games. Since then, he has failed to score at least 10 points in three of his last six games (9.5 ppg). Turner is averaging 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.
Opposite directions
The Sixers are currently 1-3 on their current eight-game road trip and have dropped eight of their last 10 games overall.
On the other side of the court, the Lakers are seeking their seventh win in eight games and fourth straight win at the Staples Center heading into Tuesday's contest.
Head-to-head
The Lakers have won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Sixers, including five of the past six.
Bryant has played 30 games in his career against the Sixers and averages 23.2 points per game against his hometown team.
Spencer Hawes has averaged 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in 15 career games against the Lakers.
Did you know?
Holiday and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder are the only two players averaging at least 18 points and eight assists this season.
Injuries
Sixers: Andrew Bynum (bilateral knee bone bruises) is out indefinitely.
Lakers: Chris Duhon (back spasms) did not practice Monday is listed as day-to-day. Steve Blake (abdominal surgery) is out until mid-January.
Sound off
How many points will Kobe score tonight?
E-mail Tim Riday at triday@comcastsportsnet.com
