New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction 3/8/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers collide at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon.

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

The New York Knicks have been in great shape as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Nuggets in a 142-103 road win on Friday. OG Anunoby led the team with 34 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 11 of 17 shooting, Josh Hart added 18 points, Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 17 points with 13 rebounds while Jalen Brunson chipped in with nine points and 15 assists. As a team, the Knicks shot a sizzling 58 percent from the field and 16 of 34 from the 3-point line as they poured in 38 points in the second quarter to take a 13-point lead into halftime and they were able to maintain that hectic pace all the way to the final buzzer to obliterate the Nuggets in their own building. 

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to heat up again as they’ve won four of their last five games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after routing the Pacers in a 128-117 home win on Friday. Luka Doncic led the team with 44 points, nine rebounds and five assists on 14 of 25 shooting, Austin Reaves added 19 points with five assists while Luke Kennard chipped in with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 53 percent from the field and 17 of 37 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start thanks to Doncic and they dominated this matchup to lead by as many as 24 points before they pulled their starters early and allow their bench players some extra playing time. 

New York v Los Angeles Free Prediction

The Knicks are still missing Miles McBride and they have Landry Shamet listed as questionable with a neck sprain, while the Lakers are keeping an eye on Maxi Kleber and LeBron James who are both questionable. The Lakers would love a win here as they’ve been struggling against the contenders in the league, but this team met back on Feb 1 and it was the Knicks who won by 112-100 and I think we’re in for a similar outcome in this one. The Knicks are playing some of their best basketball of the league right now while the Lakers are running through the lesser teams while struggling against the elite teams. The line is short for this one, so I will stick with the more consistent Knicks to get the win and cover on the road.

Peter Tran's Pick: New York -3.5