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Lakers vs. Knicks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
Apr. 12, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Monday night with the New York Knicks set to host the Los Angeles Lakers in The Big Apple.

So once again, I'm getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the top contests.

Lakers vs. Knicks Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Lakers vs. Knicks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: New York -3
  • Money-Line: New York -150 Los Angeles +130
  • Total: 205.5

New York enters Monday's game as a three-point favorite over the visiting Lakers, which is the sixth time Los Angeles has been listed as an underdog across their last seven games.

While the total for this event currently sits at OU 205.5 – marking the lowest over-under set for a matchup containing either of these teams so far this year.


The Knicks are back on the court Monday with no rest as they welcome in the Lakers to Madison Square Garden. (AP)

Lakers vs. Knicks Current Form-Last Game

The Lakers head into Monday’s contest following wins in two of their last three games – with LA’s only loss during that time frame coming in a Finals-rematch against the Heat, which still resulted in a victory against the spread (LAL +9.5).

Los Angeles squared off with the Eastern Conference-leading Nets in their most recent affair, and ended up taking care of business on the road – as eight different Lakers cracked double-digit scoring on the way to a 25-point victory for LA.

Similarly, the Knicks also head into Monday’s event boasting wins in two of their last three games – with New York’s only loss across that stretch coming in a closely contested matchup against the Celtics, that still resulted in a victory ATS (NYK +3).

New York’s most recent matchup resulted in a win over the Raptors last night – as Julius Randle scored over a quarter of the Knicks’ points while knocking down 11-11 free-throws during the six-point victory.

Lakers vs. Knicks Head-to-Head

  • Jan. 22, 2020 - Lakers 100 at Knicks 92, New York +11.5, Under 223
  • Jan. 7, 2020 - Lakers 117 vs. Knicks 87, Los Angeles -13, Under 221.5

Los Angeles won both of its regular season matchups against the Knicks last year, with New York failing to eclipse 100 points in both of those contests.

The first of those matchups resulted in a 30-point victory for the Lakers, as LeBron James scored 31 points while knocking down 6-12 three-point attempts – despite Anthony Davis contributing just five points across 28 minutes during the contest.

While the second of those matchups was a little more competitive, but still resulted in a victory for Los Angeles – as King James and AD both had big nights on the scoreboard this time out by combining for 50 points on 16-30 from the field during the Lakers’ eight-point victory.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 33-20 SU, 26-27 ATS, 19-34 OU
  • Road: 17-9 SU, 15-11 ATS, 8-18 OU

The expectations have been low in Los Angeles lately with LeBron and AD currently sidelined due to injuries, but the Lakers appear to finally be figuring out how to somewhat operate without their two superstars in the lineup – having picked up SU wins in three of their last five games, despite being favored in just one of those matchups.

Similarly to New York, the ‘under’ has cashed at an extremely consistent rate in Lakers’ games this year – with the ‘over’ currently sitting at a 19-34 clip in matchups containing Los Angeles, which ranks dead last across the league in that department.

Make note though, the total has gone over in three straight Lakers’ games.

New York Knicks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 26-27 SU, 31-21-1 ATS, 21-32 OU
  • Home: 15-10 SU, 14-10-1 ATS, 11-14 OU

The Knicks went into their contest on Sunday against Toronto owning a record of 5-5 SU and 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games, which is consistent with the season New York is currently having – sitting at 27-27 SU and 32-21-1 ATS so far this year.

The ‘under’ has also been a trendy play in Knicks’ games so far this year, and rightfully so – considering the ‘over’ currently sits at a 21-33 clip in matchups containing New York this season, which includes the total staying under in seven of their last 10 contests.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers

  • PF Kyle Kuzma: Calf - Quesitonable
  • SF LeBron James: Ankle - Out
  • PF Anthony Davis: Achilles - Out
  • SG Wesley Matthews: Achilles - Questionable
  • C Marc Gasol: Hamstring - Questionable
  • SF Jared Dudley: Knee - Out

New York Knicks

  • PF John Henson: Calf - Out
  • C Mitchell Robinson:Foot - Out

Lakers vs. Knicks - Player Prop Best Bet

Julius Randle – Under 23.5 Points (-116)

Since making his All-Star game debut back in March, Randle has fallen into an inconveniently timed shooting slump that only seems to be getting worse as the season continues.

Heading into Monday’s contest having tallied 24 or less points in 10 of 15 games following the mid-season break, while shooting below a 40% clip during eight of those outings.

I’ll back Randle to stay under that total again here, in what should be a relatively low-scoring affair with Los Angeles.

Lakers vs. Knicks Prediction

Despite the extensive absences of James and Davis, The Lakers head into Monday following victories in two of their last three games, with LA’s only loss across that stretch coming in a competitive Finals rematch against the Heat this past Thursday – which was a matchup Los Angeles still managed to cover the spread in.

While on the other hand, New York enters Monday’s event as winners in back-to-back games – boasting wins over the Grizzlies and Raptors during their previous two matchups.

Prior to their most recent two-game window though, the Knicks had lost four of their last five games – with New York’s only victory during that period coming in a meeting with the Pistons. I’ll take the Lakers with the points here, as Los Angeles is likely still the better team in this matchup, even without LeBron and AD on the floor.

Score Prediction: Lakers 109, Knicks, 102
Best Bet: Los Angeles +3


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