Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 04/02/2022, 19:19  by Joseph King | Modified on 05/02/2022 at 01:20 in NBA Predictions

The LA Lakers host the New York Knicks at the Crytpo.com Arena for this East vs West matchup between two teams that have been having disappointing seasons. The Lakers are coming off a hard fought one point loss to their city rivals, the Clippers, after Anthony Davis wasn’t able to convert at the buzzer. LeBron and company sit ninth in the Western Conference with a 25-28 record and have now lost six of their last 10. Their opponents, the Knicks, have been having their own struggles this season as well. New York looks a far-cry from the team that surprised so many to achieve the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference last season. They currently sit 12th in the East with a 24-28 record and their only hopes of making the postseason will likely be sneaking into the play-in game. The Knicks are coming off a 120-108 loss to Memphis on Wednesday and this game will be the first of a five game west coast road trip. 

The Lakers put forth a spirited comeback in their last game but ultimately fell short in the end. Even worse news for LA is that the injuries are continuing to pile up. LeBron James is unlikely to be ready for this one and they are now without Carmelo Anthony after he was forced out with an apparent hamstring injury. Anthony was providing a good offensive spark and a consistent deep threat with his 39% three point percentage and his absence leaves the Lakers down to barebones at the forward position. On the other side, the Knicks will be relying on their defense to see them through in this game. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for his hard-nose defense minded teams and despite the Knicks struggling overall this year, they still hold the NBA’s sixth best defense.