Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks betting tips and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA on TNT game. The Lakers will try to keep their momentum going as they head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Los Angeles Lakers
We received some disappointing news ahead of tonight’s game as the NBA has decided to suspend LeBron James for 1 game following his altercation with Isaiah Stewart in Sunday’s game against the Pistons. That means that James will miss the Lakers’ only visit to Madison Square Garden this year, leaving a lot of basketball fans disappointed. The Lakers team will also be disappointed, as they’ve really struggled without their best player this year. They barely beat the Pistons and now they face a team that they’ve beaten just twice in the last 6 meetings. To make matters worse, Anthony Davis could also be out for this one as he has been listed as ‘day-to-day’ with an undisclosed injury. His impact is massive for this team as he leads them in scoring with 24.6 points per game this season. LA has covered the spread just once in their last 5 road games.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have similar issues when it comes to covering the spread, they’ve done so just once in their last 6 games and are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 at MSG. However, the good news for Knicks fans is that they are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against Western Conference opponents. Still, that doesn’t automatically guarantee them a win here, this team has exchanged wins and losses over their last 5 games. Just like the Lakers, they could also be shorthanded in this one, Derrick Rose has an ankle injury and is questionable, Taj Gibson is doubtful with a groin problem. Those two are very important rotation players and it would be a massive hit to the Knicks ambitions in tonight’s game if they aren’t able to go. The Knicks are 3.5 point favorites tonight, as a favorite they’ve won 7 of 13 games this season.
Without LeBron this Lakers team is a mediocre squad at best. Their defense has been terrible over the past 5 games and I think even a Knicks team that is struggling a bit on the offensive end will take advantage of that. Side with the home team in this one, so let’s back the Knicks to cover.
New York Knicks – Los Angeles Lakers Odds
New York Knicks – Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
New York Knicks -3.5 Point Spread is available at -110 odds on bet365
In the last 5 games the Lakers have allowed 116 to the Pistons, 130 to the Celtics, 109 to the Bucks, 121 to the Bulls and 106 to the Spurs. They have only the 20th best defensive rating in the NBA right now and oddly enough the Knicks rank just one spot above them in 19th with a slightly better rating. New York was known for their stellar defense last season, but that has changed dramatically this year. Even though the Knicks play only the 25th fastest pace in the NBA, they’ll have to match the Lakers tempo in this one. LA ranks 2nd only to the Houston Rockets in pace of play, that’s what adding Russell Westbrook to your line-up does. The over has landed in 4 of the last 5 Laker games and in 4 of their last 5 visits to MSG. In the last 10 games head-to-head these two are combining for 219.5 points per game. I think backing the over is the smart bet here.
Over 214.5 Total Points is available at -110 odds on bet365
