With the postseason approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are playing some of their best basketball.
The two teams have been among the best in the NBA throughout the regular-season, but both are stepping it up into another gear as the playoffs approach.
Both will get to test themselves against a potential NBA Finals opponent, as they'll meet on Monday, March 9, at 06:30 AEDT. What will happen between these two franchises?
Quick Picks
Our pick: Knicks to win
Value bet: Doncic to have 30+ points
Long shot: Knicks to win by 1-10 points
Betting Preview
Heading into this encounter, both teams have been enjoying positive runs. As of writing, both have managed to establish win streaks of at least three games, adding to their strong seasons in the right way at the right time.
The Lakers have been a little more inconsistent over their last 10 games, going 5-5. Still, they're a force to be reckoned with. The Purple & Gold have been very strong at home in Los Angeles, going 18-12. This could be the difference in this upcoming game, as the Knicks aren't as comfortable when they are the visiting team.
New York are 16-14 when on the road, though they boast a positive record in their last 10 games. They are 7-3, and have won more games than the Lakers have to this point of the year, already reaching 40 victories.
Betting Markets to Watch
What does the head-to-head suggest? Lakers edge the H2H 6-4 over the last 10 games. They hold three wins over the last four encounters, which may suggest that they have an edge in this upcoming game.
Additionally, of the five games played as hosts, the Lakers are 3-2. The last time they played in Los Angeles, the Lakers won 113-109 (March 2025), needing overtime. With this in mind, we think there'll be value in the Knicks' handicap.
The Lakers may be considered slight favourites given their home record and the Knicks' road inconsistencies. However, New York have enough quality to at least cover the spread, if not create an upset win.
Knicks won 112-100 in February, with Luka Doncic having a double-double. He scored 30 points and had 15 rebounds. We'd expect something similar once again, despite his production being a little lower recently. Doncic to have 30+ points should offer value, as he hasn't hit this number for a while. If you're wondering what a triple-double in the NBA looks like, Doncic is always a candidate to record one.
Our Prediction
Check the latest NBA betting odds at Sportsbet.
We are predicting that the Knicks will follow up their win last month with another on the West Coast. The Knicks are strong, and while they're inconsistent, they hold two wins in the last three played in LA.
Our long shot would be to consider the Big Win Little Win market, as there will be value worth exploring here. Games tend to be relatively close in terms of point margins, with single-digit differentials typically enough. As we've seen, overtime has been needed in the past — if you're unfamiliar with NBA overtime rules, it's worth understanding how extra periods work. We think Knicks to win by 1-10 points offers value.
Keep Reading
Relevant Articles
Celtics vs Mavericks Prediction and Betting Odds
NBA Play-In Tournament Explained
