NBA Picks: LA Lakers vs. NY Knicks

Los Angeles Lakers (25-25 SU, 22-28 ATS) vs. New York Knicks (32-17 SU, 31-18 ATS)

When: Saturday, February 3rd, 8:30 PM (ET)

Where: Madison Square Garden, NY, New York

TV: ABC

Point Spread: LAL +4.5/NY -4.5

Total: 225.5

Money Line: Los Angeles Lakers +160/-194

Notable Injuries

Lakers

• Anthony Davis (Questionable) Achilles/Hip
• LeBron James (Questionable) Ankle
• Jarred Vanderbilt (Out) Foot
• Gabe Vincent (Out) Knee
• Cam Reddish (Out) Ankle

Knicks

• Julius Randle (Out) Shoulder
• OG Anunoby (Questionable) Elbow
• Mitchell Robinson (Out) Ankle
• Quentin Grimes (Out) Knee

At 8:30 ET on ABC, the Knicks (-194) will host the Lakers (+160) in a non-conference matchup. New York (32-17) is currently favored by 4.5 points over Los Angeles (25-25).

Madison Square Garden will be the site of this game, and the Knicks are riding a nine-game win streak. The over/under line for this game is 225.5 points.

Recent Form

The Lakers are 25-25 on the season and are currently in 9th place in the Western Conference. In games vs. the Western Conference, they are 18-16 and 6-4 against teams in the Pacific Division.

On the road, the Lakers are 8-17 for the season, and they are 10-15 ATS on the road. Their average scoring differential on the road is -7.2 points per game.

As the underdog, the Lakers have gone 7-15 straight-up and 10-12 ATS. Today, they are getting 4.5 points on the spread, and they are 22-28 ATS for the season.

The Lakers’ O/U record for the season is 28-22, and their games have averaged 233.5 points per game. In their last 39 games, the O/U line has been higher than today’s line of 225.5.

In their most recent game, the Lakers defeated the Celtics by a score of 114-105. They were 15-point underdogs going into the game and covered the spread. The O/U line for that game was 238.5.

In the Eastern Conference standings, the Knicks are currently in 3rd place with a record of 32-17. In their division, they are 2nd in the Atlantic.

The Knicks have won nine straight games and are favored by 4.5 points against the Lakers. This season, New York is 24-6 as the favorite and has gone 21-9 against the spread in those games.

As the favorite, the Knicks have won eight straight games against the spread and are 31-18 ATS for the season. At home, they have an ATS record of 16-7 and have covered the spread in five straight home games.

New York’s O/U record for the season is 19-29-1, and the under has hit in their last three games. Today’s O/U line of 225.5 is lower than their season average of 226.2.

In their most recent game, the Knicks defeated the Pacers by a score of 109-105. New York was favored by 2 points in that game, and the O/U line was 234.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Knicks hold the edge at 3-2. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 1 point per game. A combined average of 227 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

Heading into tonight’s game against the Knicks, the Lakers are ranked 14th in scoring at 116.1 points per game. However, when playing on the road, they are averaging 115.6 points per game.

In terms of pace, the Lakers are 6th in the NBA at 101.3 possessions per game. They have also been efficient inside the arc, ranking 3rd in two-point field goals made.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the Lakers are 28th in made threes at 11.3 per game. Overall, they are shooting 36% from beyond the arc.

On the road, the Lakers’ have struggled this season, giving up 122.8 points per game compared to their season average of 117.3 PPG allowed. For the season, their defense is 19th in the league. The Lakers defense is coming off a game in which they held the Celtics offense to just 40.4% shooting. Overall, they gave up 105 points to Boston.

At home, the Knicks are averaging 114.7 points per game, which is 21st in the NBA. Overall, they are 15th in scoring at 115.2 points per game. New York’s offense is 20th in field goal percentage at 46%.

So far this season, the Knicks have made 13.2 three-pointers per game, which is 11th in the league. In terms of pace, they are 29th at 96.3 possessions per game.

When it comes to assists, the Knicks are 29th in the NBA with an average of 24 per game. In terms of two-point shooting, New York is 24th in the league with a percentage of 53%.

At this time, the Knicks’ defense is positioned 2nd in the NBA, permitting 109.2 points per game. The New York defense has allowed opponents to shoot 35.6% from beyond the arc this season. Opposing teams are also hitting 46.7% of their field goal attempts vs. New York.

Betting Trends

• Across their three previous road games, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 118 points per game.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, New York has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 114 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
• Los Angeles has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Knicks have an ATS record of 5-0 and a straight up mark of 5-0.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

On one side, the Lakers are coming off an impressive road win over the Celtics without Anthony Davis, and on the other, Jalen Brunson has been on fire and has the Knicks playing great basketball. But without Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mithcell Robinson, I like the Lakers to cover the spread at +4.5.