Knicks vs Clippers Picks and Predictions: Los Angeles Lights Up Sad New York Defense

At no point this season have the New York Knicks shown a clear desire to tank. That would be counter to everything Tom Thibodeau stands for.

But New York’s performance the last few weeks has served that purpose, intentional or not. Is there any chance the Knicks can reverse their freefall tonight, as NBA betting road underdogs, against the surging Los Angeles Clippers?

Get our thoughts in our free NBA picks and predictions for Knicks vs. Clippers on Sunday, March 6, with tip set for 9:00 ET.

Knicks vs Clippers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Clippers have always been favored tonight but when this game first hit the boards, that edge was as low as -3.5. By Sunday morning, it had moved to -4.5, and late morning pushed it to -5.0. The total moved up along with the spread, opening at 216.5 overnight before rising to 219.5 by midmorning and 220.5 in the early afternoon.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Knicks vs Clippers predictions

• Prediction: Clippers -5.0 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 220.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Clippers TT Over 113.5 (-104)

Predictions made on 3/6/2022 at 3:49 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Knicks vs Clippers game info

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Sunday, March 6, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

Knicks vs Clippers betting preview

Key injuries

Knicks: Obi Toppin PF (Out), Derrick Rose PG (Out), Quentin Grimes SG (Out), Kemba Walker PG (Out).
Clippers: Paul George SF (Out), Norman Powell SG (Out), Jay Scrubb PG (Out), Kawhi Leonard SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Knicks opponents have gone Over their team totals in 12 straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Clippers.

Knicks vs Clippers picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

There’s just nothing to believe in with the Knicks right now. During their current seven-game losing streak, they have failed to cover the spread in six of those games — and have not come very close to covering, either. New York has fallen short of covering by an average of 9.8 points in those six games across the last three weeks.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have covered in seven of their last eight, as well as winning seven of those games outright. In those seven ATS wins, Los Angeles beat the spread by an average of 12.4 points.

In every respect, the Knicks are trending all the wrong ways while the Clippers are trending in all the right ways. Furthermore, Los Angeles has a bit more rest, having been off since Thursday compared to New York playing on Friday, a game you may remember as a heartbreaking, at-the-buzzer loss at Phoenix.

Prediction: Clippers -5.0 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Eight of the Knicks’ last nine games have gone Over the total, yet the numbers have not begun to spike. At the start of that stretch, their totals were generally in the 219-221 range. There was a brief ebb, but given it has returned to 222.5 and 220.5 this week, those lower numbers were more a reflection of opponents than anything else.

But those numbers should be spiking. Before February 1, the Knicks ranked No. 12 in the league in defensive rating, per Statmuse. Since the beginning of February, New York ranks just 28th, ahead of only the Nets and the Rockets.

Despite Mitchell Robinson’s best efforts, no other Knick helps on defense. The backcourt, in particular, has been woeful, with Alec Burks and Evan Fournier being exposed as defensive liabilities this season.

Clippers’ guards Terance Mann and Reggie Jackson have found a groove lately, combining to average 33.8 points per game in their last 10 games. Add in Luke Kennard, and that average goes up to 43.8 points. On the surface, those may be pedestrian numbers, but they are efficient enough they will have plenty of chances to expose New York’s failing defense.

Prediction: Over 220.5 (-110)

Best bet

The fact that 12 straight Knicks opponents have gone Over their team totals is almost hard to believe.

We say "almost” because if you have actually watched New York of late, you absolutely believe it. And a good few of those teams have made a habit of disappointing lately, including the Nets, Thunder, and Warriors.

But against the Knicks, they all exceed expectations.

The Clippers will tonight, as well.

Pick: Clippers team total Over 113.5 (-104)

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