The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James loves playing at Madison Square Garden in New York City and makes his only visit there this season on Saturday night.
The Knicks opened as solid favourites on the NBA odds as James will not have Anthony Davis by his side.
Lakers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
The Lakers had been very fortunate this season regarding the health of their two superstars in injury-prone Anthony Davis and 40-year-old LeBron James, but that good fortune ended on Tuesday. In an upset loss in Philadelphia in the second of a back-to-back, Davis left with a strained abdominal muscle and won’t even be re-evaluated for a week so expect him out through the All-Star break.
Davis is having an MVP-calibre season in averaging 25.7 points on 52.8% from the field along with 11.9 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks. All-in-all, it’s good news regarding this injury and Davis getting some extra rest probably isn’t the worst thing. NBA fans/bettors howl when teams rest stars in the second leg of a back-to-back, but that Davis injury is why coaches prefer to do it if possible.
The Lakers would probably like to rest LeBron on Saturday as well in the fifth game of a six-game trip, but no way he misses out playing at Madison Square Garden (Michael Jordan also always got fired up playing there). It’s the first meeting of the season between the clubs with the Knicks in Los Angeles on March 6. They split two close games last season, each winning on the road.
Los Angeles is 6-4 SU & 4-6 ATS in the past 10 meetings, and the under has hit in three straight.
Los Angeles Lakers
In their first game since losing Anthony Davis to injury, the Lakers had no trouble in a 134-96 victory at Washington on Thursday, but the Wizards are easily the worst team in the NBA and were playing the second of a back-to-back. So that’s not really a gauge of how much Davis might be missed. It was such a rout that Bronny James played the entire fourth quarter and had a career-high five points. Dad LeBron had 24 points and 11 assists in only three quarters of action in the Lakers’ most lopsided win of the season. Promising rookie Dalton Knecht was ejected for getting two technical fouls but nothing that would get him suspended. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith, the team’s big trade acquisition this season so far, and reserve guard Gabe Vincent were both out injured and are day-to-day. Jaxson Hayes got the start for Davis and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. LA is 4-1-1 ATS in its past six.
New York Knicks
No team is hotter offensively than the Knicks right now. They have won five straight games and have totaled 408 points (136.0 PPG) in the past three (against three very good teams in the Kings, Grizzlies and Nuggets), the most in any three-game stretch in franchise history. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson has shot better than 50 per cent from the field in each of the past three and torched Denver for 30 points and 15 assists in a double-digit home win Wednesday. Something changed with this team in late November. Before Nov. 28, the Knicks were 10-8 with the NBA’s 24th-rated defence. Since then, they are 22-8 with the NBA’s second-most wins and No. 7 defence. As a quick aside, we could see a Knicks-Raptors trade for the second year in a row as New York reportedly is very interested in Toronto reserve big man Chris Boucher, a good friend of current Knick and former Raptor OG Anunoby. New York is 4-1 ATS in its past five.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Knicks?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
26.08 |
| Assists |
8.53 |
| Rebounds |
11.88 |
| FG% |
71.4 |
| Steals |
1.85 |
| Blocks |
2.14 |
| Points |
26.33 |
| Assists |
7.41 |
| Rebounds |
13.16 |
| FG% |
68.8 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
| Points |
26.08 |
| Assists |
8.53 |
| Rebounds |
11.88 |
| FG% |
71.4 |
| Steals |
1.85 |
| Blocks |
2.14 |
| Points |
26.33 |
| Assists |
7.41 |
| Rebounds |
13.16 |
| FG% |
68.8 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
Injuries
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Trey Jemison III (C)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Jaxson Hayes (C)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Precious Achiuwa (PF)
O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Josh Hart (SG)
Ariel Hukporti (C)
O.G. Anunoby (SF)
O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Josh Hart (SG)
Miles McBride (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Out Fri | Knee - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a left knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Nuggets on Friday. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith is hamepred with left ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Nuggets on Friday. |
|||||
| Trey Jemison III (C) | Ques Fri | Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Jemison is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nuggets on Friday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Out Fri | Calf - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is nursing a left calf injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Nuggets on Friday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with right ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith is managing left ankle soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Bucks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Mon | Back - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with back soreness, but he is expected to dress against the Nets on Monday. |
|||||
| Jaxson Hayes (C) | Out Fri | Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hayes is fighting off a right knee contusion, and he is not projected to dress for Friday's game against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Celtics on Saturday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is battling with his right knee injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Knicks on Thursday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Out Mon | Ankle - 07 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury, and he is not likely to play against the Kings on Monday. |
|||||
| Precious Achiuwa (PF) | Ques Fri | Hamstring - 06 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Achiuwa is dealing with left hamstring tightness, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Clippers on Friday. |
|||||
| O.G. Anunoby (SF) | Ques Thurs | Thumb - 06 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Anunoby is hampered by the thumb sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Lakers. |
|||||
| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Robinson is battling with ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Josh Hart (SG) | Ques Fri | Knee - 28 / 02 / 25 | 1-4 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Hart is hampered with a right knee effusion, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Grizzlies on Friday. |
|||||
| Ariel Hukporti (C) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 27 / 02 / 25 | 1-4 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Hukporti is battling a torn meniscus in his left knee, and is expected to miss four to six weeks. |
|||||
| O.G. Anunoby (SF) | Prob Wed | Foot - 25 / 02 / 25 | 1-5 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Anunoby is battling a sprained right foot, but he is projected to be active against the 76ers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| O.G. Anunoby (SF) | Ques Sun | Foot - 22 / 02 / 25 | 1-6 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Anunoby is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Celtics on Sunday. |
|||||
| Josh Hart (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 19 / 02 / 25 | 1-8 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Hart is dealing with patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee, and it is unclear if he will face the Celtics on Sunday. |
|||||
| Miles McBride (PG) | Ques Thurs | Ribs - 13 / 02 / 25 | 2-8 | 4-6 | + - |
|
McBride left the previous game with a left rib contusion, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Thursday's clash versus the Bulls. |
|||||
-
Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 26.08
Assists 8.53
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 71.4
Steals 1.85
Blocks 2.14
Points 26.33
Assists 7.41
Rebounds 13.16
FG% 68.8
Steals 1.44
Blocks 0.86
-
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
Points 26.08
Assists 8.53
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 71.4
Steals 1.85
Blocks 2.14
Points 26.33
Assists 7.41
Rebounds 13.16
FG% 68.8
Steals 1.44
Blocks 0.86
-
Injuries
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Out Fri Knee - 14 / 03 / 25Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25Trey Jemison III (C)
Ques Fri Illness - 14 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Out Fri Calf - 14 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Mon Back - 09 / 03 / 25Jaxson Hayes (C)
Out Fri Knee - 07 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 03 / 25Mitchell Robinson (C)
Out Mon Ankle - 07 / 03 / 25Precious Achiuwa (PF)
Ques Fri Hamstring - 06 / 03 / 25O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Ques Thurs Thumb - 06 / 03 / 25Mitchell Robinson (C)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Ques Fri Knee - 28 / 02 / 25Ariel Hukporti (C)
Out indefinitely Knee - 27 / 02 / 25O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Prob Wed Foot - 25 / 02 / 25O.G. Anunoby (SF)
Ques Sun Foot - 22 / 02 / 25Josh Hart (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 02 / 25Miles McBride (PG)
Ques Thurs Ribs - 13 / 02 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gabe Vincent (SG) Out Fri Knee - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Vincent is battling a left knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Nuggets on Friday.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Finney-Smith is hamepred with left ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Nuggets on Friday.
Trey Jemison III (C) Ques Fri Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Jemison is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nuggets on Friday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Out Fri Calf - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Doncic is nursing a left calf injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Nuggets on Friday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Doncic is dealing with right ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Thursday.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Ques Thurs Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Finney-Smith is managing left ankle soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Bucks on Thursday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Mon Back - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Doncic is dealing with back soreness, but he is expected to dress against the Nets on Monday.
Jaxson Hayes (C) Out Fri Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Hayes is fighting off a right knee contusion, and he is not projected to dress for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Doncic is dealing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Celtics on Saturday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Doncic is battling with his right knee injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Knicks on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mitchell Robinson (C) Out Mon Ankle - 07 / 03 / 25 0-2 0-2 + - Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury, and he is not likely to play against the Kings on Monday.
Precious Achiuwa (PF) Ques Fri Hamstring - 06 / 03 / 25 0-2 0-2 + - Achiuwa is dealing with left hamstring tightness, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Clippers on Friday.
O.G. Anunoby (SF) Ques Thurs Thumb - 06 / 03 / 25 0-2 0-2 + - Anunoby is hampered by the thumb sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Lakers.
Mitchell Robinson (C) Ques Thurs Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25 0-2 0-2 + - Robinson is battling with ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Thursday.
Josh Hart (SG) Ques Fri Knee - 28 / 02 / 25 1-4 1-4 + - Hart is hampered with a right knee effusion, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Grizzlies on Friday.
Ariel Hukporti (C) Out indefinitely Knee - 27 / 02 / 25 1-4 1-4 + - Hukporti is battling a torn meniscus in his left knee, and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
O.G. Anunoby (SF) Prob Wed Foot - 25 / 02 / 25 1-5 1-5 + - Anunoby is battling a sprained right foot, but he is projected to be active against the 76ers on Wednesday.
O.G. Anunoby (SF) Ques Sun Foot - 22 / 02 / 25 1-6 2-5 + - Anunoby is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Celtics on Sunday.
Josh Hart (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 02 / 25 1-8 3-6 + - Hart is dealing with patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee, and it is unclear if he will face the Celtics on Sunday.
Miles McBride (PG) Ques Thurs Ribs - 13 / 02 / 25 2-8 4-6 + - McBride left the previous game with a left rib contusion, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Thursday's clash versus the Bulls.