As the New York Knicks attempt to close the gap on the top two slots in the Easter Conference standings, Tom Thibodeau’s team takes on a Los Angeles Lakers squad that’s down Anthony Davis.
With New York’s offensive diversity and Karl-Anthony Towns having a career-year, I’m expecting KAT and Co. to expose this Davis-less Los Angeles defense in my Lakers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, February 1.
Lakers vs Knicks prediction
My best bet
New York Knicks -10.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has given the New York Knicks a boost in a big way with the All-Star helping New York sit second in offensive rating (121.0) and fourth in points per game this season (117.9). While New York trails both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the East, they’ve been on a tear with five straight wins and a 4-1 record ATS.
They’ve been a force at home as of late, too. Thibodeau’s team has covered in four straight at home and those four wins have come by an average of 14.9 points per game.
So while 10.5 is a lot to cover against a Los Angeles Lakers team that’s fifth in the Western Conference, New York has shown an ability to take it to playoff teams at home - they beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets in their last two outings by a combined 47 points.
Los Angeles also just doesn’t have the defensive talent to hang with this Knicks offense. The Lakers are 20th in defensive rating this season (114.9) and are allowing the 10th-highest field goal percentage to opponents (47%) and the ninth-most twos per game (28.8).
Without Anthony Davis out there as a rim protector, JJ Redick’s lineup is bound to struggle even more. New York has one of the best one-two punches in the league with Towns and Jalen Brunson, who are both shooting over 40% from deep and over 53% from inside the arc this season.
And it’s not as if they’re the only threats with Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart combining to put up 48.5 PPG and all three of them shooting better than 47% from the floor. That group has New York shooting the third-highest field goal percentage win the league (49.5%), the sixth-highest 3-point percentage (37.9%), and the second-highest 2-point percentage (57.1%).
The Knicks aren’t slouches on defense either, allowing the eighth-fewest PPG in the NBA (110.8) and without Davis, too much will fall on LeBron James for Los Angeles to keep up with this mighty New York offense.
The Lakers are just 17th in PPG (111.8) and 27th in threes per game (11.8), and those offensive woes have been a big factor in Los Angeles having just a -2.2 point differential ATS this season, fourth worst in the NBA.
Lakers vs Knicks same-game parlay
New York Knicks -10.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 38.5 points and rebounds
LeBron James Over 7-plus assists
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a double-double machine since moving to the Big Apple. He’s second in the NBA in rebounds per game (13.7) and one of only three players scoring more than 24 PPG and pulling down over 12 RPG.
The former Minnesota Timberwolf has gone Over 38.5 points and rebounds in 22 of 43 games this season and should have every opportunity to again. Meanwhile, LeBron James will need to bring his best on offense to keep the Lakers in this game.
He’s been one of the best facilitators in the NBA this season - he’s fourth in assists per game (9.0) - and has put up seven-plus apples in 35 of 43 games.
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Lakers vs Knicks odds
Lakers vs Knicks live odds
Lakers vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +9.5 | New York -9.5
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +350 | New York -450
- Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Knicks opened as a 9.5-point favorite with the line shifting another point in their direction to -10.5.
- New York is among the best teams ATS this season at 25-22-1 while Los Angeles isn’t far behind at 23-22-1.
- The Over/Under opened as high as 227.5 and has steadily dropped down to as low as 225.5 at some books.
- The Knicks are a solid 26-21-1 betting the Over this season, but the Lakers are just 22-24.
Lakers vs Knicks trend
The New York Knicks have hit the game total Over in 47 of their last 76 games (+16.20 Units / 19% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Lakers vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Saturday, 2-1-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
Lakers vs Knicks latest injuries
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