It’s a coast-to-coast clash when the New York Knicks head left to visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Knicks try to open a five-game western road swing in style with a strong showing in L.A., leaning on small forward Mikal Bridges to snap out of his funk tonight.
I like Bridges to find his form, looking at his scoring prop for my best NBA picks and Knicks vs. Lakers predictions for on March 6.
Knicks vs Lakers prediction
My best bet
Mikal Bridges Over 14.5 Points (-130 at bet365)
My analysis
After a strong December and January, Mikal Bridges’ scoring output has slumped in the past month. He averaged just over 15 points in February and has posted efforts of five and 15 points in the first two games of March.
That’s dragged his scoring props down as well. Bridges’ Over/Under on points were as high as 18.5 points just a few weeks ago, but he enters this encounter with the Los Angeles Lakers with his scoring bar set at 14.5 points.
Bridges hasn’t been as active in the New York Knicks offense recently, with his field goal attempts dropping by two shots compared to the first half of the schedule. His shortcomings on defense and streaking shooting are attracting the ire of the New York media, especially after the team sat him down in crunch time in last Sunday’s overtime win against Miami.
Bridges hit rock bottom in that matchup with the Heat. He finished with only five points on 2-for-11 shooting, including a 1-for-6 day from beyond the arc, and logged only 28 minutes of action.
However, the veteran forward did bounce back with a better effort versus Golden State on Tuesday. Bridges scored 15 points, despite another bad day from distance (1 for 5 on 3-pointers), hitting 7 of 15 field goal attempts in his usual 36 minutes of work.
This prop total in L.A. is a buy-low spot for Bridges. He did score 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting in a home loss to the former version of the Lakers (the same night as the Luka Doncic trade) on February 1. The Knicks also have injuries to OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Mitchell Robinson, which puts some added emphasis on Bridges’ offensive effort.
NBA player projections are quite bullish on his scoring potential tonight. Forecasts for Bridges range from 15.3 points to 20.6 with all models north of the 14.5-point total. My number comes out just shy of 17 points from the Knicks swingman, which should have the Over 14.5 points priced around -170.
Player prop markets have seen movement toward the Over, increasing the vig on Bridges to score 15 or more with some books even ticking up to 15.5 O/U.
Mikal Bridges 15+ points (-130)
Mikal Bridges 3+ rebounds
Lakers moneyline
Mikal Bridges showed focus bouncing back from his worst showing of the season and projections like him to score 15 or more tonight.
Player models are also calling for three or more rebounds from Bridges, who has snatched three or more boards in 10 of his last 16 games.
The Knicks have a tough time against winning teams and the Lakers have been just that. Los Angeles keeps the streak alive at home.
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Knicks at Lakers final score prediction
Score prediction: Lakers 121, Knicks 112
The Lakers extend their winning streak to eight games against a Knicks team that just can’t get over the hump versus the NBA’s elite.
Knicks vs Lakers odds
Knicks vs Lakers live odds
Knicks vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: New York +3 (-105) | Los Angeles -3 (-115)
- Moneyline: New York +130 | Los Angeles -155
- Over/Under: Over 231 (-110) | Under 231 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Knicks vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Oddsmakers opened the Lakers as 3-point home favorites and after ticking up to as high as -4, this spread has settled at L.A. -3.5. It appears that Los Angeles will have guard Austin Reaves back in the lineup tonight.
- The total opened at 229.5 and slipped to 227 before coming back up, sitting at 230.5 Over/Under this afternoon.
- According to Covers Consensus, 69% of picks are laying the points with the Lakers while 64% of total picks are taking the Over.
Knicks vs Lakers trend
The Los Angeles Lakers have covered the 1H spread in 44 of their last 67 games (+18.27 Units/24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Lakers.
How to watch Knicks vs Lakers
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California |
| Date | Thursday, 3-6-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT, Max |
Knicks vs Lakers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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