New York Knicks (40-21 SU, 29-32 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (39-21 SU, 34-25 ATS)

When: Thursday, March 6th, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: TNT

Point Spread: NY +4.5/LAL -4.5

Total: 229.5

Money Line: New York Knicks +150/-179

Notable Injuries

Knicks

• OG Anunoby (Questionable) Thumb
• Mitchell Robinson (Questionable) Ankle
• Precious Achiuwa (Questionable) Hamstring
• Ariel Hukporti (Out) Knee

Lakers

• LeBron James (Probable) Foot
• Markieff Morris (Out) Illness
• Maxi Kleber (Out) Foot
• Luka Dončić (Probable) Knee
• Rui Hachimura (Out) Knee
• Austin Reaves (Probable) Calf
• Jordan Goodwin (Out) Ankle

The Knicks (+150) are in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers (-179) in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 10:00 ET at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers are favored by 4.5 points and have won seven straight games.

This game will be shown on TNT.

Recent Form

The Knicks fell to 40-21 on the season after a 114-102 home loss to the Warriors on Tuesday. New York, favored by 1 point, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 216 points came in well under the 226.5-point line.

New York led 55-47 at halftime but were outscored 35-26 in the 3rd quarter. The Warriors went on an 11-0 run in the 4th, stretching the score from 97-93 to 104-97, and closed out the game by outscoring the Knicks 32-21 in the final period.

The Lakers improved to 39-21 on the season with a 136-115 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as a -7.5-point favorite and covered the spread with a +21-point margin. The total score of 251 points exceeded the O/U line of 228.5 by 22.5 points.

Los Angeles jumped out to a 36-23 lead after the 1st quarter and went on an 11-0 run to extend their lead from 46-43 to 57-43. The Pelicans fought back in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Lakers 36-33, but Los Angeles regained control in the 3rd, outscoring New Orleans 33-25. Heading into the 4th with a 102-84 lead, the Lakers closed out the game by edging the Pelicans 34-31 in the final quarter.

The Historicals

Over the last five head-to-head meetings, the Lakers have averaged 117 points per game compared to 113 for New York. This has led to an ATS record of 3-2 for Los Angeles. A combined average of 230 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

In their 114-102 loss to the Warriors, the Knicks struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 24.2% of their threes and making only 8 in total. Their overall field goal percentage was 44.6%, which was below their average.

OG Anunoby led the way with 29 points, connecting on four threes at a 44.4% rate. Jalen Brunson added 25 points, with nine coming in the opening quarter, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 15 points, scoring 6 in the 3rd.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive effort in the 1st and 2nd quarters, holding the Warriors to 25 and 22 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 2nd half, giving up 35 points in the 3rd quarter and 32 in the 4th, leading to a 114-102 loss.

Overall, New York allowed Golden State to shoot 48% from the field, including 35% from three-point range, where the Warriors hit 13 threes. The Knicks sent the Warriors to the line 19 times, where they made 15 free throws. Defensively, the Knicks recorded four steals and two blocks.

LeBron James and Luka Dončić led the Lakers’ offense in their win over the Pelicans, with James scoring 34 points and hitting five threes at a 50% rate. Dončić added 30 points and 15 assists and made six threes, shooting 46.2% from deep. Jaxson Hayes was perfect from the field, contributing 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lakers hit 19 threes as a team, shooting 36.5% from beyond the arc, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 53.3%. Dončić was dominant in the 1st quarter, scoring 17 points, while Hayes added 15 of his 19 points in the 2nd quarter.

Despite giving up 115 points, the Lakers’ defense did enough to secure the win over the Pelicans. They had strong performances in the 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing just 23 and 25 points, respectively, but struggled in the 2nd, giving up 36 points. The Lakers sent the Pelicans to the line 21 times, where they converted 14 free throws.

Los Angeles did a great job defending the three, holding New Orleans to just 9 made threes on 26% shooting. The Lakers also recorded 7 steals and 5 blocks in the game. On the boards, they grabbed 34 defensive rebounds while allowing 10 offensive boards.

Betting Trends

• Through their last three road contests, the Knicks offense has averaged 111 points per game while allowing an average of 114. New York posted an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 ATS.
• The Lakers are 2-1 ATS in their last three home games and 2-1 straight-up.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Knicks have a straight up record of 3-7 and an ATS mark of 3-7.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Lakers have an ATS record of 3-0 and a straight up mark of 3-0.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Lakers are rolling right now, and they are facing a Knicks squad that is going to struggle to catch the Celtics for the No. 2 seed but needs to take care of business down the stretch to hold off the Bucks and hang on to the No. 3 seed in the East. However, I think they are in a tough spot tonight vs a red-hot Lakers unit. Look for Lebron, Luka, and the Lakers to win this one and cover.