Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/12/2017

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New York as 4 point favorites.

The Lakers head into this matchup with a mark of 10-15. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.7 as they are averaging 106.0 points per contest while giving up 108.7 per game. The Knicks have an overall mark of 13-13. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 104.0 points per contest and giving up 103.8, which is a point differential of 0.2.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 12-13-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-14-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 14-12-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 11-14-1 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/11/17 C Enes Kanter Hip is probable Tuesday vs LA Lakers
12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 15.2 points per game in 22.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%. Kyle Kuzma comes into this contest averaging 16 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Enes Kanter averages 13.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.3 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 60% and his free throw percentage is 92%. Courtney Lee averages 12.8 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 93%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 108.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they give up 22.2 assists per contest which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Los Angeles averages 106 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.72 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 46.2 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 17.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrender 103.8 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 1st with 39.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season. New York is 17th in the league with 104 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.23. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 23. The Knicks are 5th in turnovers per game with 16.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.2, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 24th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Los Angeles is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 5th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 17th in the NBA. The Knicks are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 107.7, and their offensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 16th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New York -4

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