New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 1/7/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -13.5

Total/Over-Under: 219.5

Julius Randle and the New York Knicks (10-26, 5th in the Atlantic Division) travel to Staples Center on Tuesday where they'll meet the Los Angeles Lakers (29-7, 1st in the Pacific Division). New York opens this game as 13.5 point dogs. The total opens at 219.5.

The Knicks cover the spread 52.8% of the time, having gone 19-17-0 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 51.4% of the time, going 18-17-1 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

01/05/20 PG Elfrid Payton Personal is questionable Tuesday vs LA Lakers

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season
01/05/20 SG Avery Bradley Leg left last game, is questionable Tuesday vs New York

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this game averaging 18.6 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 9.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 70%. Marcus Morris averages 19.1 points per contest in 31.7 minutes per game. He averages 1.5 assists per game and 5.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis scores 27.7 points per contest while playing 35.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.5 rebounds per contest and has 3.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. LeBron James averages 24.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.9 rebounds per game and has 11.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.7 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -7.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 46.4 boards per contest and 21.1 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 21st with 14.3 per game. The Knicks allow 111.8 points per contest, which is 18th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 29th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.3 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 23.8 assists per game which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the NBA with 112.7 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.31. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 16th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.3 boards per contest and 5th in assists per game with 26.1. The Lakers are 14th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Lakers give up 105.4 points per game, which ranks them 6th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 7th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.1 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 41.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 112.6, and their offensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 26th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. New York is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 8th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league. The Lakers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 104.7 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles -13.5

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