New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds
LeBron James has looked reinvigorated since the Luka Doncic trade and that has to make other top teams in the Western Conference sweat. L.A. now sits second in the West thanks to a seven-game win streak, capped by a 136-115 home win over the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Despite a 114-102 home loss against the Warriors on Tuesday, New York is in a solid position at third in the Eastern Conference. The concern, however, is their struggle against top teams as they are 0-7 this season against Boston, Cleveland and OKC.
The Lakers are 3.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with the total pegged at 230.5.
Knicks vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
This wraps up the regular season series following L.A.’s 128-112 win at MSG on Feb. 1. LeBron went off for a game-high 33 points, a day before the Lakers traded for Doncic from Dallas in a franchise-altering deal for both teams.
Both teams have looked good, lately. In addition to L.A.’s seven-game win streak overall, they’ve also won five straight at home. This should prove to be a good test for the Knicks, who have won 13 of 18 overall and 14 of 18 on the road.
The Lakers have been a much better cover option this season. L.A. is 34-25-1 against the spread, covering in six of their last seven games. New York is 28-32-1 ATS and have covered just once in their last eight games.
The first game between these teams this season hit the Over, but the trends point toward a lower scoring game on Thursday. The total has gone Under in seven of the Lakers’ last eight games, while four of five have finished below the number for the Knicks.
New York Knicks
The Knicks were once again hit with the curse of Steph Curry on Tuesday, with Curry improving to 12-1 in his career at MSG. OG Anunoby led the way for New York, finishing with a game-high 29 points, while Jalen Brunson had 25. As mentioned earlier, the real concern is the Knicks’ record against winning teams. New York is just 12-15 this season against teams with a winning percentage above .500. And since the All-Star break, the Knicks have already suffered two bad road losses, 118-105 in Boston and a 142-105 pounding in Cleveland.
Los Angeles Lakers
The duo of LeBron and Luka is really starting to find their stride. LeBron led the Lakers with 34 points and eight rebounds on Tuesday, while Luka dropped 30 points, eight boards and 15 assists. However, it’s not just offence that has been key for L.A. The Lakers have held seven of their last eight opponents to 102 points or fewer and they boast the NBA’s No. 1 defence since Jan. 15. The team is 12-1 at home during that stretch, which spells trouble for a Knicks squad with a cover rate on the road that sits below .500 (14-15).
NY
LAL