The Los Angeles Lakers continue their road trip on Tuesday as they find themselves in Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. This matchup is always compelling regardless of the status of either team as the Knicks and Lakers are the league’s two most prominent teams.
LeBron James in Madison Square Garden is always a sight to see as well, although he will not be playing in this matchup. LeBron has been suspended one game for his role in the scuffle with Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons.
LeBron not playing is having a massive effect on the betting lines as the Lakers are on the road against a Knicks team that has a winning record.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Knicks odds, spread, over/under:
According to WynnBET, the Los Angeles Lakers enter this game as seven-point underdogs to the Knicks. This makes the Lakers a +230 moneyline underdog while the Knicks are a -270 moneyline favorite. The over/under for this game has been set at 214 points.
This is a really interesting line considering the fact that the Knicks haven’t been all that great this season, either. New York is 9-8 this season, just one game better than the Lakers, and ranks 20th in Basketball-Reference’s Simple Rating System. The Lakers rank 25th, which is not good, but is not that far off of the Knicks.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Knicks prediction:
Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers are without LeBron James in this game but the team has been without LeBron for most of the season. In fact, this is business as usual for the Lakers as they prepare the game plan without James in the rotation.
While I have not liked what I have seen out of the Lakers at all thus far this season, it is hard to not take them as seven-point underdogs. Anthony Davis is still one of the best players in the league and under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, he is bound to have a big game that keeps the Lakers close.
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I also cannot pick with the Lakers against a winning basketball team right now. While they might surprise me, they are a +230 underdog for a reason. I think this team covers the seven-point spread but still exits MSG with a loss.
I am taking Lakers +7 and over 214 points. The final score will be New York Knicks 112, Los Angeles Lakers 108.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Knicks TV channel:
This is a nationally televised game that will be shown on TNT. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
Los Angeles Lakers schedule and upcoming games:
The purple and gold complete its five-game road trip with a back-to-back after the Knicks game as they fly to Indiana to take on the Pacers on Wednesday.
The team then has Thanksgiving off to spend with its family before returning to action at the Staples Center on Friday against the Sacramento Kings.