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. Here’s a New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers prediction. This article will include a New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers pick.

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; and 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 allowed their bench players some extra playing time. 

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 day games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The Lakers have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Knicks.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
• The home team has covered the spread in five of the Lakers’ last six games.

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The Knicks have won each of their last seven day games.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs following a win.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs following a win.
• The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Lakers’ last eight Sunday games has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of the Knicks’ last six games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• Austin Reaves is one of only six players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
• Marcus Smart is one of only six players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.

New York Knicks Player Facts

• Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded 11+ rebounds in five consecutive appearances—the longest active streak of any player in the league.
• OG Anunoby has recorded 3+ steals in two consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Lakers rank T1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (60.3%).
• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for rebounds per game this season (40.9).
• The Knicks rank 2nd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.2).
• The Knicks rank 3rd in the league for H2 opponent points per game this season (53.6).

New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers 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 in 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