The Lakers have reeled off five consecutive victories to open up a four-game lead on the field out West, and are comfortably favoured by double digits against a Knicks club that has dropped two in a row and sits second-last in the Eastern Conference.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Double-digit spreads always bring out the caution flags among NBA bettors – after all, that’s a lot of points to consider, even in a matchup as one-sided as this. And you have good reason to question whether to trust the Lakers here, as they’re just 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games as double-digit favourites. On the flip side, the Knicks are an impressive 4-2 ATS in their last six when receiving 10 or more points following seven straight non-covers in that situation.
The total is modest by today’s NBA standards at 223, but is still a 3 ½ point jump from when it opened. The Knicks and Lakers have finished above the number in five of their previous six encounters at Staples Center, and Over bettors will no doubt pay heed to the Knicks’ most recent loss, a 135-132 track meet with the Clippers in the very same arena. But the Lakers have slid below the total in seven of their past 10 home games overall.
New York Knicks
New York looked like it might finally be getting its defensive house in order, putting together a three-game winning streak in which it held Brooklyn, Washington and Portland to an average of 91.7 points. But a return to the road shot that theory to pieces, with the Knicks coming off back-to-back losses to Phoenix and the Clippers in which it allowed an average of 127.5 points. New York is surrendering 111.8 points per contest, fourth-most in the East.
Los Angeles Lakers
You can point to several reasons why the Lakers are back on top of the Western Conference heap following years of struggles, but two stand out in particular. Los Angeles has remained one of the most defensively stout teams in the league for the majority of the season, presently ranked second in the conference in points allowed (105.4). And the Lakers have been one of the top ball distribution teams in the NBA, sitting fifth in assists (26.1).
Who Will Win Knicks vs. Lakers?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Kevin Knox II (SF)
Kevin Knox II (SF)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Taj Gibson (PF)
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)
Kenny Wooten (SF)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Ques Tues | Illness - 10 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Robinson is battling an illness, and it has yet to be determined if he will play Tuesday against the Wizards. |
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| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Ntilikina is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Pistons despite a sprained right ankle. |
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| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Ntilikina left Friday's game with a sprained right ankle, and his return is in question. |
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| Kevin Knox II (SF) | Prob Fri | Leg - 05 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Knox II is expected to be in Friday's lineup versus the Thunder despite a left leg contusion. |
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| Kevin Knox II (SF) | Prob Wed | Leg - 03 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Knoxx II is tending to a left leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Jazz. |
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| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Robinson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a sore left hamstring, but he will play against the Thunder on Friday. |
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| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 29 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Bullock has sat out the previous two games with an illness, but it is projected that he will be available against the Jazz on Wednesday. |
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| Taj Gibson (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 27 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Gibson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with back spasms, but he is expected to be a participant in Saturday's contest versus the Bulls. |
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| Dennis Smith Jr. (PG) | Prob Tues | Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Smith Jr. is sidelined due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will return Tuesday against the Wizards. |
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| Kenny Wooten (SF) | out for season | Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Wooten is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sat | Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 | 2-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Thurs | Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. |
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| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 19 / 09 / 20 | 4-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
Injuries
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 03 / 20Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20Frank Ntilikina (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20Kevin Knox II (SF)
Prob Fri Leg - 05 / 03 / 20Kevin Knox II (SF)
Prob Wed Leg - 03 / 03 / 20Mitchell Robinson (C)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 02 / 20Taj Gibson (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)
Prob Tues Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20Kenny Wooten (SF)
out for season Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20Rajon Rondo (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mitchell Robinson (C) Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 03 / 20 - - + - Robinson is battling an illness, and it has yet to be determined if he will play Tuesday against the Wizards.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20 - - + - Ntilikina is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Pistons despite a sprained right ankle.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20 - - + - Ntilikina left Friday's game with a sprained right ankle, and his return is in question.
Kevin Knox II (SF) Prob Fri Leg - 05 / 03 / 20 - - + - Knox II is expected to be in Friday's lineup versus the Thunder despite a left leg contusion.
Kevin Knox II (SF) Prob Wed Leg - 03 / 03 / 20 - - + - Knoxx II is tending to a left leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Jazz.
Mitchell Robinson (C) Prob Fri Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20 - - + - Robinson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a sore left hamstring, but he will play against the Thunder on Friday.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 02 / 20 - - + - Bullock has sat out the previous two games with an illness, but it is projected that he will be available against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Taj Gibson (PF) Prob Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20 - - + - Gibson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with back spasms, but he is expected to be a participant in Saturday's contest versus the Bulls.
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG) Prob Tues Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20 - - + - Smith Jr. is sidelined due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will return Tuesday against the Wizards.
Kenny Wooten (SF) out for season Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20 - - + - Wooten is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 1-4 2-3 + - Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 2-4 4-3 + - Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 2-5 5-3 + - Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20 4-6 6-5 + - Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.