Suddenly Streaking Knicks vs. High Powered Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers (37-9 SU, 23-23 ATS, 28-18 O/U) have won two straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook and six of its last seven overall, while going an impressive 4-1 against the spread in their last five games. Tonight, the Lakers and superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant hit the road to take on the suddenly, red-hot New York Knicks (21-25 SU, 27-19 ATS, 19-27 O/U) winners of three straight games and six of its last seven overall.
BetUS NBA sports betting backers that love to wager on the Knicks should be happy as Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense has propelled New York to cover the spread in a whopping seven straight games.
The Lakers turned up the defensive pressure in the second half of their convincing 115-98 win over the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday to cover the spread as 10.5-point road favorites while the game’s 213 combined points played Over the night’s posted O/U total of 206 points.
Bryant led L.A. with a game-high 25 points while power forward Pau Gasol added 24 points and eight rebounds in the win.
The Lakers could be without young center Andrew Bynum who hurt his knee in the first quarter on Saturday after colliding with Bryant.
X-rays on the 21-year-old were negative and results from Sunday’s MRI won’t be known until today
“Everybody’s just upset for him and disappointed for him,” said Bryant. “But hopefully everything will be OK. We’re all optimistic about it.”
The Knicks outscored the Indiana Pacers 122-113 in a high-scoring affair on Saturday to cover the spread for BetUS NBA sports betting backers as a 3.5-point road underdog while the game’s 235 combined points played Over the posted Over/Under total of 224 points.
Forward Al Harrington scored a team-high 31 points to lead six New York players in double figure scoring while fellow forward David Lee added 23 points and 17 rebounds.
“I’m pleased with the way we’re playing and the group we have because they’re really trying,” D’Antoni said. “We won’t look back, we’ll look forward. We want to make the playoffs, we’ve said that all along.”
“We’ve got a huge test with three teams coming in here that we’re going to need to get a couple victories, and I think we’ve got a chance to do it,” said Lee.
Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games on the road LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games on the road
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games
New York is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
New York is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
New York is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
New York is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
NBA Odds
Los Angeles Lakers -6 -110
New York Knicks +6 -110
Over 225½ -110
Under 225½ -110
Analysis: While the New York Knicks are playing their best basketball of the season – and the Los Angeles Lakers will be without center Andrew Bynum, I like the Lakers, behind Kobe Bryant, to treat the fans at Madison Square Garden to a show tonight while handing the Knicks a solid defeat.
The fact of the matter is that, while the Knicks can score the ball with any team in the league, they are mediocre at best on defense and will likely see Bryant step his game up on the biggest stage in the game.
Take the Lakers to win and cover despite being on the road.
