by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jan 31, 2025
Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, February 1, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers +9.5, Knicks -9.5; Over/Under: 227.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers +9.5, Knicks -9.5; Over/Under: 227.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers +9.5, Knicks -9.5; Over/Under: 227.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 27-19 (1st place, Pacific Division)
New York Knicks: 32-16 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-3 last 10
New York Knicks: 7-3 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 27-19 record overall this season and they are 11-13 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Washington Wizards. LeBron James led the team in points in that game with 24 while Rui Hachimura was next on the team with 22 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 11 while Jaxson Hayes led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 54.4% from the field, 46.9% from 3-point range, and 95.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 111.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.3 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 23-22-1 this season and their O/U record is 22-24.
The Knicks are entering this game with a 32-16 record overall this season and they are 17-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Atlanta Hawks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Denver Nuggets. Jalen Brunson led the team in points in that game with 30 while OG Anunoby was next on the team with 23 points. Jalen Brunson led the team in assists in that game with 15 while Karl-Anthony Towns led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 51.6% from the field, 41.2% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.8 PPG against them. The Knicks have an ATS record of 25-22-1 this season and their O/U record is 26-21-1.
Lakers vs Knicks Prediction
The current betting odds have the Knicks listed as a 9.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Knicks have looked really good in their games this season with their 32-16 record overall which has them right near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have also looked great on their home court with their 17-8 home record. Meanwhile, the Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 27-19 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have looked a lot better in their games lately as they have been getting hot, going 7-3 in their last 10 which has helped them climb up the standings, but they have still looked really bad in their road games this season. They have an 11-13 road record and they have been beating up on some bad teams lately, coming off a win over the Wizards in their last one. The Knicks have been a lot more consistent as a team this season, and they have also been really hot lately as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games too. They have a lot more momentum on their side too with 5 wins in a row and they are coming off a double digit win over the Nuggets in their last one. The Lakers have looked better lately, but they have struggled a lot this season with their up and down play and it doesn't help that Anthony Davis has picked up an injury now. The Knicks can take advantage of how bad the Lakers have been on the road this season, the Lakers can't be trusted in this game against one of the best teams in the East. The best way to place a bet here is on the Knicks to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Knicks Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Saturday, February 1, 2025 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Knicks 124 Lakers 112.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 9-17 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 14-35 ATS off a road win. 16-9 OVER as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 27-8 OVER when playing their 3rd road game in 5 days.
New York Knicks: 31-22 ATS in a home game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 41-22 ATS when playing 6 or less games in 14 days. 21-15 OVER after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 23-11 1H OVER as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: D. Finney-Smith (PF) Day To Day - Shoulder. G. Vincent (PG) Day To Day - Knee. J. Hood-Schifino (SG) Day To Day - Hamstring. A. Davis (PF) Out - Foot. C. Wood (PF) Out - Knee.
New York Knicks: P. Dadiet (SG) Day To Day - Toe. M. Robinson (C) Out - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
"He was awesome, yeah, he was awesome. He was aggressive. He talked. Just his willingness to trust his teammates and create for others and create for himself was awesome. And don't overlook the fact, by the way, that he's 40 years old in year 22 with every accolade under the sun, and he comes out on a Thursday night that's a non-nationally televised game against a team that's really struggling and he is the tone setter. That's competitive stamina. It's impressive." - JJ Redick on LeBron James after his team’s win against the Wizards in their game on Thursday.
"It's a good win. We don't want to get carried away with ourselves. We'll enjoy it but there's things that we have to continue to improve upon. I think these are all good tests for us, because it tells us exactly where we are and what we have to work on to get better and not to be satisfied." - Tom Thibodeau after his team’s win against the Nuggets in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Austin Reaves
SG Max Christie
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
New York Knicks
PG Jalen Brunson
SG Mikal Bridges
SF Josh Hart
PF OG Anunoby
C Karl-Anthony Towns
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: A. Davis (25.7)
APG: L. James (9)
Reb/G: A. Davis (11.9)
New York Knicks
PPG: J. Brunson (25.9)
APG: J. Brunson (7.5)
Reb/G: K. Towns (13.7)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)
New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau (5th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
