knicks vs lakers nba betting prediction
PublishedDecember 18, 2023,            Posted By: Maria Uebelhor
Last updated:December 18, 2023 , ,

NBA: Knicks vs LA Lakers Prediction 12/18/2023

The New York Knicks (14-11) travel to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers (15-11) on Monday, December 18th. This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena. Both the Knicks and Lakers will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 10:30 ET.

Knicks vs Lakers

The Knicks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Knicks will look to bounce back from a defeat in their last game, losing to the Clippers with a final score of 144-122. Alonside their straight-up loss, the Knicks failed to cover the spread as +7 point underdogs. Before the game, the over/under line was 230.5 points, and both teams ended up surpassing that mark.

Coming into today’s game against the Lakers, the Knicks are 14-11 overall. In their 25 games, the Knicks have gone 11-6 against Eastern Conference opponents and 3-5 against non-conference teams.

New York comes in with an overall ATS record of 14-11 so far this season. On the road, the Knicks have an ATS record of 8-7 compared to a 6-4 record vs. the spread at home.

The Lakers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Lakers were defeated by the Spurs in the most recent game, concluding with a score of 129-115. In addition to their straight-up loss, the Lakers also couldn’t meet the spread, coming up short as -4.5 point favorites. The over/under line entering this matchup was 235 points, and both teams achieved a total score that exceeded that line.

As they prepare to take on the Knicks, the Lakers are looking to stay above .500, coming in at 15-11 overall. When playing on the road, the Lakers are 5-9 compared to their 10-2 record at home.

Los Angeles comes in with an overall ATS record of 11-15 so far this season. The Lakers maintain an ATS record of 5-9 on the road, while they have a 6-6 record vs. the spread when playing at home.

Knicks Offense Breakdown

New York has recorded an average of 114.5 points per game (16th) throughout 25 games games. So far, the Knicks are averaging 96 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. Their slower style of play has created fewer offensive opportunities, leading to them being ranked 19th in fields goals made per contest.

Lakers Offense Breakdown

This season, the Los Angeles offense is ranked 17th in the NBA in scoring at 114 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Lakers will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.5 made 3’s per game. If the Los Angeles offense is going to turn things around, not only do they need to improve their outside shooting but they must do a better job protecting the ball. Currently, they are averaging 13.9 turnovers per game.

Knicks Team Defense

At present, the Knicks’ defense is ranked 9th, allowing 111.8 points per game.

In the terms of takeaways, Knicks are causing 12.1 turnovers per game, ranking 5th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 29th in rejections, averaging 3.2 blocked shots each game.

Lakers Team Defensela lakers nba

Currently, the Lakers’ defense holds the 12th rank in the NBA, allowing 113.5 points per game.

In the terms of takeaways, Lakers are causing 13.9 turnovers per game, ranking 22nd in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 11th in rejections, averaging 5.6 blocked shots each game.

Key Players For The Knicks And Lakers

In today’s game, our projections have Jalen Brunson leading the Knicks with 22 points on 8/15 shooting from the field. Throughout this season, his average stands at 25.5 points per game, along with 3.9 rebounds.

As for Los Angeles, Anthony Davis is projected to be the primary scorer for the Lakers. Our forecast has him finishing the game with 20, and adding 9 rebounds. This season, he has put together a field goal percentage of 54.4%, and he is contributing 23.9 points per game on average.

Knicks vs Lakers Trendsnew york knicks

  • Across the Knicks last three road games, the team averaged 124 points per game while allowing 127. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
  • In their last five games at home, the Lakers have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 121 points per game in this stretch.
  • Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Knicks have gone 2-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
  • In their last five contests as the favorite, Los Angeles has a poor record vs the spread going 2-3. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 3-2.

Knicks vs Lakers Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +4.5, the Knicks is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 227.5, and our model predicts the Knicks and Lakers to score a combined 228 points. We recommend betting on the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.