Lakers vs. Knicks Pick
Will the Los Angeles Lakers continue their covering streak when they hit the road to face the New York Knicks tonight at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Knicks are favored at home in today’s game, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Lakers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 220 points. The Knicks have won five straight over the Lakers, going 4-1 against the spread in the process. New York won the lone meeting this season, 118-112, at Los Angeles.
The Lakers have lost five of their last six games to fall to 17-36 on the season. However, they have covered in five straight to get to 25-27-1 against the spread. The Lakers are giving up 110.3 points per game on defense while scoring 104.1 on offense. On the road, the offensive average dips to 99.6 while the defense allows 112.1. Louis Williams has been leading the team with 18.3 points per game while D’Angelo Russell adds 14.8 points and 4.8 assists per game. Julius Randle, who puts up 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, is probable to play tonight despite an illness.
New York is coming off a 104-111 loss at home to the Cavaliers. They have dropped three of their last four games to fall to 22-30 overall. The Knicks are 29-23 against the spread this season, but just 4-5 ATS in their last nine. New York is averaging 105.8 points per game on offense, but allowing 108.6 on defense. Joakim Noah, who averages 5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, is out tonight with a hamstring injury. Derrick Rose, who averages 17.9 points and 4.4 assists per game, is probable to play despite an ankle injury. Carmelo Anthony is the leading scorer with 22.9 points per game.
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The Knicks still have some talent to work with and can be a team that makes a playoff push. If that is going to happen, they need to take care of business against teams like the Lakers, especially at home. Los Angeles has covered lately, but that just means the spread for this game is lower than it should be. Los Angeles doesn’t have the defense to stop Carmelo and the Lakers offense is too inconsistent to keep pace tonight.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK KNICKS -5.5