The Los Angeles Lakers (27-19) face the New York Knicks (32-16) Saturday. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. (ABC) Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Lakers vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; tied 1-1 in 2023-24
The Lakers are on the fifth leg of a 6-game road trip that began at Golden State Jan. 25. They’re 3-1 on the trip with the latest a 134-96 spell cast over the Washington Wizards Thursday, covering as 8.5-point favorites with the Over (223.5) cashing. F Anthony Davis (abdomen) sat out, and he’s out for this one, too. The Lakers responded well, though, with F LeBron James dropping 24 points and dishing out 11 assists as 7 Lakers reached double figures in scoring. C Jaxson Hayes stepped in at center with 10 points, 10 boards and 3 blocks. They’ve won 5 of 6 and 7 of the last 9.
The Knicks have won 5 in a row after minimizing the Denver Nuggets 122-112 Wednesday, covering as 3-point home favorites with the Under (242) hitting. G Jalen Brunson took the wheel for 30 points and 15 assists as 6 Knickerbockers dropped double figures in points. F/C Karl-Anthony Towns had just 14 points and went 0-for-4 from downtown. This is something to watch. He hurt his thumb Jan. 13, and he has shot just 3-for-18 (16.7%) behind the 3-point line since (5 games).
Lakers at Knicks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:29 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +375 (bet $100 to win $375) | Knicks -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Lakers -10.5 (-110) | Knicks +10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Lakers at Knicks key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (abdominal) out
- F Dorian Finney-Smith (shoulder) probable
- F Rui Hachimura (calf) probable
- F LeBron James (knee) probable
- G Gabe Vincent (knee) probable
Knicks
- F Josh Hart (knee) questionable
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Lakers at Knicks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 115, Lakers 114
Moneyline
The Lakers are short-handed, but I am really tempted by the +375 price. They’re 3-2 at MSG in the last 5 meetings. LA won in New York last season 113-105. AD played, but he had just 12 points and LBJ led the way with 24.
I’m going to resist the +375 urge and take the healthy spread instead. (I rhyme all the time, I swear.) I’ll take JAXSON HAYES OVER 14.5 POINTS+REBOUNDS (-130) after his double-double in the last game.
Against the spread
Take the LAKERS +10.5 (-110). I just can’t see LeBron allowing himself to be embarrassed in MSG. The Lakers have won the last 2 there and lost by 6 in the third one.
Over/Under
Both teams are 6-4 O/U in their last 10. The total for the last head-to-head matchup was 227.5, and even though the Lakers are short-handed, the Knicks have largely improved their roster.
I like OVER 225.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
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