NBA Betting – Kobe looks to light up MSG once again
While New Yorkers are obsessed with Super Bowl odds due to their surprising Jets, they should pay attention to the NBA on Friday night, when Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers come through the mecca of basketball to face the New York Knicks, who have been in an offensive slump. Whenever Bryant is in town, the ticket is usually worth the price per head.
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Lakers vs Knicks odds – Friday, January 23, 8:00 PM ET
The Lakers (32-9 as of Thursday) will kick off an eight-game road trip with a nationally-televised showdown with Cleveland on Thursday night, but they should still have something left in the tank for the Knicks. Bryant loves playing at Madison Square Garden due to all of the history in that great building, and he rocked the Knicks for 61 points in his last trip to New York. Bryant has been battling injuries all season, and the rest of the Lakers are trying to step up and help their leader. Andrew Bynum has been playing well, as well as Shannon Brown, who is providing a boost off the bench. Pau Gasol is also working his way back into playing shape after his hamstring injury.
The Knicks (17-24) have scored 100 points or more in just one of their last seven games, but it`s a little encouraging that their defense is improving, albeit against bad offensive teams. 
The offensive problems are fine, because the Knicks can work on that in Mike D`Antoni`s run-and-gun system. But if they`re going to improve their sportsbook odds, it has to be the defense that steps up as the Knicks are 4-18 when they give up 100 points or more.
The Lakers will be favored by US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews), as they`ve won five straight against the Knicks, and they`ve come out on top in seven of their last 10 trips to Madison Square Garden. The Lakers won`t be worried about playing back-to-back games as they`re 7-3 in the second half of those situations this season. In fact, they could be hoping that the Knicks try to push the pace and run them down, because the Lakers have the weapons to keep up with New York, and they also are able to come up with key defensive stops. Also, quite frankly, the Knicks have no one that can contain Bryant, who loves the big stage of MSG.
Internet betting pick: Lakers
