New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 03/08/26

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The New York Knicks have won 4 of their last 5 games heading into a showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers inside Crypto.com Arena in L.A. on Sunday afternoon. New York is playing stellar basketball, with only a 3-point loss to defending NBA champion Oklahoma City during this 5-game stretch. I expect momentum to continue, so my Knicks vs Lakers pick is for the visitors to win and cover. New York’s current 5-game road trip could not have started any better, as it absolutely humiliated Denver 142-103 on Friday night. Karl-Anthony Towns extended his double-double streak to 5 games with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while OG Anunoby delivered 34 points. It’s also worth noting that the Knicks’ fine form has been showing for a long time now, as they are also 16-5 SU in their last 21 overall. This can be explained in part by the fact that they have never been healthier this season than they are right now. Miles McBride (out until the playoffs following core muscle surgery) is the only player on the roster with any kind of injury designation.

Los Angeles is mostly healthy, too, although Deandre Ayton is questionable for Sunday with a knee problem. LeBron James (elbow) is probable. LeBron, however, has not been playing particularly well. The 41-year-old has been held under his season-long points per game average (21.4 ppg) in 6 of 8 contests since the all-star break. Ayton has been pretty much useless in recent weeks, so the Lakers can’t feel good about their presence down low regardless of his status. The Lakers are just 6-6 in their last 12 games; their relative struggles are likely to continue against such a red-hot and confident opponent.

Knicks vs Lakers prediction: New York -3.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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