Knicks – Lakers

The New York Knicks will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in a meeting between two big market teams, both of them trying to return to former glory after a number of disastrous years.

The Knicks (13-13, 12-5 home) have surpassed expectations this season, currently being in contention for a playoff spot – mostly due to the emergence of Kristaps Porzingis as a legit All Star in the league. While New York has slowed down a bit after a good start, they did win 2 of their last 3 games, including an unimpressive but important 4 point win against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, their 12th win in 17 home games.

The Lakers (10-15, 4-8 away) were going through an ugly losing streak until recently, as they managed to put together two road wins against Eastern Conference opponents in their last two games – beating the Sixers and the Hornets. The two wins were rather surprising, as the Lakers had been horrible on the road until that point. Luke Walton and his young team will feel they have a good shot to make it 3 in a row when they face the Knicks.

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Team news: Hardaway Jr continues to miss out for New York, while the Lakers have a full roster available.

Hardaway`s absence will no doubt affect the New York backcourt a bit, but the Knicks did win 2 of the 3 games since he`s been out (counting from when Porzingis returned), so they proved able to deal with the situation as long as they have their all star player Porzingis healthy.

Credit to the Lakers for pulling off two wins in their first two games of this road trip in the Eastern Conference, but asking them to win three in a row might be a bit of a stretch. At this point all the traveling may start to result in a few tired legs, even if LA hasn`t played since Saturday – or, if not, at least some mental fatigue. Considering the Lakers are not that good of a team, it`s unreasonable to expect them to play a third consecutive good game.

New York has been solid at home all season and have lost just once against a non playoff team at Madison Square Garden – that was against Orlando a week ago, when the Knicks were missing Porzingis (along with Hardaway).

I expect home court advantage to make the difference here, we`re talking about a very good home team against a Lakers side which has been very poor away from home with the exception of their last two games. I reckon the Lakers are also due an off night after three long travels, and they should also have problems in dealing with Porzingis, as they often found themselves being punished by talented big men this season.

My tip here will be the New York Knicks to win and cover the 3,5 handicap in the process. I don`t necesarilly think it will be a blowout, but a 3.5 point spread is not scary, and seems accessible for the hosts – especially considering that all of their wins this season came by a difference of 4 or more points. Prediction: NY Knicks – LA Lakers 114 – 102.

Pick: Knicks -3,5
Odds: 1.95 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.60
Event date: 12 December