Key Points
- SJ breaks down her best bets and player prop predictions for the March 6 matchup between the Knicks and Lakers
It's Thursday, and there's a much-anticipated showdown between the New York Knicks (40-21, 19-10 Away) and the Los Angeles Lakers (39-21, 24-7 Home). A matchup including the top teams in the Eastern and Western Conference, all eyes will be on this one!
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Set to face off for the second time this season, the Lakers find themselves as -3 point favorites over the Knicks at home. Both teams are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in their respective conferences, so what's not to love about this matchup? Today is a bettor's dream! In the past five matchups between the Knicks and Lakers, the underdogs have won.
As the season winds down, every game will count for both the Knicks and Lakers. A high-stakes game today, the Knicks and Lakers are both 11-11.5 games away from obtaining the No. 1 seed. Therefore, staying in the wins column is important to retain their current seeding.
Odds Are Current As Of March 6 AT 11 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on the Knicks and Lakers game, welcome! Although several players are listed on the injury report, who doesn't love a good Jalen Brunson vs Luka Doncic matchup? The NBA is off the charts, and we can thank the Lakers for that. In the last leg of a massive six-game home streak, can the Lakers continue their dominance?
Set to air on TNT, the Knicks and Lakers will tip-off at 10 p.m. ET. It's a late one folks, however I am eager to bet on this one!
Let's dive into my top predictions and best bets for the Friday, March 6 matchup between the Knicks and Lakers. With a 12-9 NBA betting record, let's look to stay in the green today!
Are you looking to bet on NBA player props? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
NBA Best Bets: New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers FanDuel Betting Odds For March 6
MONEYLINE
- NEW YORK KNICKS: +126
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: -148
SPREAD
- NEW YORK KNICKS: +3 (-110)
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: +3 (-110)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 230.5 (-110)
- UNDER: 230.5 (-110)
Last Five H2H Matchups: New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers
- February 1, 2025: Lakers 128, Knicks 112 (LA +11, over 226.5)
- February 3, 2025: Lakers 113, Knicks 105 (LA +2, under 227.5)
- December 19, 2023: Knicks 114, Lakers 109 (NY +5, under 235.5)
- March 12, 2023: Knicks 112, Lakers 108 (NY +2.5, under 226)
- January 31, 2023: Lakers 129, Knicks 123 OT (LA +3, over 232)
New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
KNICKS
- Precious Achiuwa, PF: Questionable
- OG Anunoby, SF: Questionable
- Mitchell Robinson, C: Questionable
- Ariel Hukporti, C: OUT
LAKERS
- Luka Doncic, PG: Questionable
- Jordan Goodwin, G: Questionable
- LeBron James, SF: Questionable
- Markieff Morris, PF: OUT
- Austin Reaves, SG: Questionable
Best Spread Bet: Knicks vs Lakers
Knicks ATS Record: 28-32-1
Lakers ATS Record: 34-25-1
One of my best bets and predictions for today, I placed one unit on the Los Angeles Lakers to cover the -4 point favorable spread vs the Knicks.
I chose to opt for the spread, especially given the moneyline is a bit juiced at -152 odds. Aside from the Cavaliers, is there any team hotter than the Lakers right now? 39-21, the lakers are the No.2. seed in the Eastern Conference.
- After a serious of blockbuster moves, this team went from a questionable playoff contender to a prominent NBA Championship contender.
One of the best teams of late, the Lakers are 8-2 since acquiring Luka Doncic and have been on an absolute tear.With seven straight wins, Los Angeles has been blowing teams out of the water.
- With this, the Lakers have a 6-2 record against the spread, including covering in four straight games.
Coming off a 136-115 victory over the Pelicans, we saw
LeBron James
become the first player in NBA history to notch 50,000 points. In a 21 point victory, we saw monstrous performances from both James and Donic.
- Doncic alone finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, and 15 assists. LeBron alone added 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Over their win streak, we've seen the Lakers defeat the Clippers, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Mavericks. All solid teams in the western conference, this is nothing to sniff at.
- And during this streak, the Lakers have +79 point differential.
The Lakers Are Competing at an Elite Championship Level
To me, the 123-100 victory over the Nuggets on the road spoke volumes. If we go back to Luka Doncic's Lakers debut, Los Angeles still holds a +83 point differential over those last 10 games.
Tonight, they get the Knicks at home, where they have a respectable 20-11 ATS record at Crypto.com Arena. The last leg of a long home stretch, the Lakers have covered the spread in every one except the Mavericks matchup.
- With a +48 point differential over the last five home games, there is a strong chance they cover today.
Here are a few stats that show just how dominant the Lakers have been over the stretch. Tied No. 3 for the best record since the Luka trade, the Lakers have soared to No. 11 in offensive rating and No. 3 in defensive rating. Boasting the fifth best Net rating in the NBA (8.1), the Lakers rank top 10 in rebound percentage (51.7 %), and EFG (56).
- Since the the trade, LA has the fourth most three-point (42.4) and free-throw attempts in the NBA.
And somehow, the Lakers are staying alive from a rebound perspective after the failed Mark Williams trade. We can give praise to LeBron James and Luka Doncic for some of that. While LeBron and Doncic headline the team, Rob Pelinka has built a solid roster around them. If Jaxson Hayes can hold it down inside, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht are all respectable pieces the Lakers need to make a strong run.
The Knicks Have Several Players On The Injury List Today
Today, they get a Knicks team, who will face the Lakers on the road. With Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson questionable to suit up, it may change the landscape of this matchup.
Although coming off a 114-102 loss against Golden State, the Knicks are still 6-4 in their last 10 games, and 3-1 over their last four. Aside from Brunson and Anunoby, the offense simply wasn't there without Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup. Shooting 24 % from three isn't going to cut it against the Lakers who are already one of the best teams in guarding the perimeter.
The Knicks have been dreadful on defensive end, ranking No. 26 in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Allowing a league high 37.5 % shooting beyond the arc, they are just as terrible on the boards. Boasting the fourth worst net rating over the last 10 games, New York has covered the spread in just 2 of 8 games.
With a 13-17-2 ATS record on the road, the Knicks are 1-3 covering the spread as underdogs over the last four games. In addition, the Knicks hold a -64 point differential over the last 10 games, which equates to -6.4 points per game.
Even with wins, the Knicks barely secured victories, and we've seen that especially over the last 10 games. With a one point victory over the Grizzlies, and five points over the 76ers, this team hasn't exactly been dominant. Then bettors have to take into account the 142-105 blowout loss vs Cleveland, and 131-104 defeat against the Celtics.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -4 (-112 FanDuel)
Overall the Knicks are 0-7 against top teams, and their struggles have been on full display. While injuries loom, I won't bet on the Knicks to cover until I see them improve on the defensive end. Tonight, they will have LeBron and Luka at full steam ahead.
- With that, I'll gladly lay the points with the Lakers tonight as one of my top predictions and best bets. Only trending upwards, can anyone stop them right now?
Player Prop Best Bet #1: Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 26.6 | FG: 44.7 % | FT: 75.1 % | 3PT : 33.9 % | REB: 8.3 | AST: 7.8 | STL: 1.9 | BLK: 0.4
- To record a double double (-135 FanDuel)
I'm still trying to figure out how the Lakers pulled off one of the best trades in NBA history. With
Luka Doncic
only getting healthier, I have him to record a double double for -135 odds vs the Knicks today.
I don't normally bet on double doubles this juiced, however, it's hard to fade Luka right now.
Averaging 21 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in nine games with the Lakers, we saw some struggles early on. In a new city, that's expected. Now that Luka Doncic has been unleashed, everyone in the NBA should fear the Lakers.
- Absolutely brilliant, we know see why Luka is a top 3 player in the NBA. Recording five double doubles in nine games, we've seen Doncic in fact score several near triple doubles.
Luka Doncic Is Heating Up At The Right Time For The Lakers
Coming off a 30 point, 15 assist night against the Pelicans, Doncic has 20+ in the last four games. Most impressively, we saw Luka erupt for 21 points and 13 rebounds vs the Timberwolves, and 32 points and 10 rebounds against the Nuggets.
- Most notably, Doncic finished with a triple double (19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.
We've seen Doncic get increasingly comfortable in JJ Redick's system along LeBron, which makes this a strong play today. With injuries in the past, he's playing heavy minutes for Redick, 35.4 to be exact over the last five games.
Overall, the points portion shouldn't be an issue, Luka Doncic has scored 10+ points in every game this season. As we've seen Luka facilitate more, he's had more opportunity for rebounds without a true center.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Luka Doncic to record a double double (-135 FanDuel)
Given the Knicks give up the 6th most points to guards, Doncic willf face the top rebounding team in the league. However, with Anunoby and Mitchell uncertain for tonight's game, the Knicks may be thin at the front court. Allowing 26.1 assists per game, Doncic has a strong case today.
- Getting hot at the right time, I believe -135 is a steal for today's double double player prop line. Grab it now before it goes up. Today, I like Luka Doncic to record a double double as one of my best bets.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Dorian Finney-Smith
Dorian Finney-Smith 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 8.4 | FG: 37.9 % | FT: 75 % | 3PT : 32.5 % | REB: 4.0 | AST: 1.4 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.2
- Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (-130 FanDuel)
One of my best NBA predictions and best bets for today, I placed one unit on Lakers
Dorian Finney-Smith
to record over 1.5 three pointers for -130 odds against the Knicks.
Prior to the Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers brilliantly traded for Finney-Smith in late December in exchange for for D'Angelo Russell.
While a decrease of points production was expected when shipped to the Lakers, Finney-Smith has been a solid sniper from downtown. Shooting 43.5.% percent with the Nets, his averaged dipped to 36.6 % from three with the Lakers. However, he has the facilitators in LeBron and Luka to find him.
- With that, Finney-Smith is averaging 40.8 % on catch and shoot three-pointers.
Today, he gets the Knicks who allow the highest opponent three-point percentage in the NBA (37.5 %). Coming off back-to-back games with 2+ threes, Finney-Smith now has four trey balls made in the last two gams vs the Clippers and Pelicans.
Even on two separate rosters, Finney-Smith's performances against the Knicks this season have spoke volumes. Averaging 15.3 points in three games, the forward is shooting an impeccable 68.4 % against New York.
- Read that again, Finney-Smith is shooting nearly 70% from three-point range vs the Knicks this year. Talk about a matchup nightmare.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Dorian Finney-Smith Over 1.5 Three Pointers (-130 FanDuel)
5-6 from three-point range in his first matchup vs the Knicks as a Laker, Finney- Smith has 8- 13 from deep vs New York in two games as a Net.
- Overall, I'm taking Dorian Finney-Smith to record over 1.5 three-pointers today.One of my best bets, he's feasted against the Knicks all season long.
BALLISLIFE.COM
