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The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Lakers-Knicks prediction and pick.
Los Angeles will be looking to sweep the New York teams in back-to-back games after beating the Brooklyn Nets the other night. The Knicks will be looking to build off their six-point win against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. Both teams enter this game with wins in two of their last three games. Let's see if the Knicks can hold off the depleted but hot Lakers bunch.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Lakers-Knicks odds.
NBA Odds: Lakers-Knicks Odds
Los Angeles Lakers +2 (-105)
Over 206 Points (-110)
Under 206 Points (-110)
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The expectations have been low for the Lakers since losing LeBron James and Anthony Davis for an extended period of time. The Lakers seem to be figuring something out, though, having won three of their last five games coming in. It's interesting to note that they were favored in just one of those matchups. Head coach Frank Vogel is hoping that his team will continue to build confidence coming off a huge win in Brooklyn. They were the aggressors out of the gate and held an early lead throughout. That sort of formula can be successful against a Knicks team that struggles to put up enough offense to mount comebacks on a regular basis.
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Dennis Schroder has been so important to this new-look Lakers team, which is why he is going to have to find a way to keep his temper in check. He has been in the middle of some heated brawls in multiple games of late. This team can't afford to lose its primary ball handler in any of these games down the stretch.
Another key for Los Angeles in this game will be the play of Andre Drummond. Drummond had 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 11 rebounds in the recent win. He will have to win the battle against Nerlens Noel, who has been one of the best defensive centers in the league this season. The Lakers are hoping to have Kyle Kuzma back on the court for some added offense as well.
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
The Knicks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games and continue to play gritty and competitive basketball down the stretch. The Knicks are in the middle of an impressive season that has seen them exceed expectations time and time again. Every single time we're ready to count this team out, they just find a way to string together multiple wins to stay relevant. New York is currently sitting in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, but there is a chance to climb the standings because of how close so many teams are bunched together.
Tom Thibodeau's league-leading defense must continue to thrive if his team wants to avoid the play-in tournament. The Knicks have been consistently great on that end, but the offense has been erratic at times and hasn't been particularly good of late. All-Star Julius Randle will have to return to form to ignite his team. He scored 26 points in the win against Toronto despite shooting a measly 7-of-19 from the field, and his shooting numbers are down in April. RJ Barrett sealed the deal with another clutch 3-pointer for the Knicks to continue his string of strong efforts. New York has covered the spread in each of its last five games coming in.
Final Lakers-Knicks Prediction & Pick
This game features two of the best defensive teams and two of the worst offensive teams of late. The Knicks are coming off a sluggish win in Sunday night's game, which can't help their cause on the back end of a back-to-back. The Lakers have played well of late, but are in a trap spot to regress against an elite defense in New York. The public is high on the Lakers, which has created some value for the Knicks if you're interested in a side. The total went up a point after opening and has since corrected itself by dropping half a point.
FINAL PICK: Under 206 Points (-110)
