The New York Knicks will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, December 18th, 2023 (7:40 PM PT). This will be the late game for the evening, one that LA is favored to win. The Lakers are at -4.5 (bet365) as per their morning-time spread. My Knicks vs Lakers prediction is that Julius Randle will do well in the upcoming game.
NBA Game Preview at a Glance
Away: New York Knicks
Home: Los Angeles Lakers
Game time: Monday, December 18th, 2023 @ 7:40 PM PT
Knicks vs Lakers odds (home team’s spread): -4.5
New York vs Los Angeles Prediction: Latest NBA Headlines
The New York Knicks last played on Saturday, a game where they faced the LA Clippers. The Knicks lost 144-122 at a time when LAC is starting to play their best basketball. The Knicks themselves have seen better days. The chart below shows that they are in a bit of a lull.
New York Knicks: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 12 – 7 heading into December 5th, 2023
Currently: 14 – 11 (overall)
Recent form: 2 – 4 since December 5th, 2023
Recent winning rate: .333
One game result that is suspect with New York is a recent loss to the Utah Jazz. The Knicks lost to Utah by four in a game that they probably should have won. Their recent results can be discussed in relation to a recent injury with the team.
New York Knicks injuries: recent news
The only injury that New York has noted in their depth chart at ESPN is with Mitchell Robinson. He will be out for about two months. Robinson was a defensive presence on the team as a 7’0″ center. He wasn’t amazing offensively but at least he hit the shots he took, going 59.2% from the field. This is the kind of player whose impact isn’t always clear in a game, but after he goes out what he brought to the table starts to show. I think New York will be in for a tough time in the weeks ahead without Robinson.
Double-check for playing status updates with New York (10:07 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
The LA Lakers last played on Friday, meaning they will enter Monday on good rest. The team could use a regroup after losing to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, 129-115. The Lakers were without three regular starters in the game: Anthony Davis missed with a left adductor injury, Cam Reddish had a sore knee, and D’Angelo Russell had a migraine. That left a lot on LeBron James’ shoulders and, on this occasion, he did not have the support that was needed. Despite a double-double from LeBron, the Lakers fell.
Los Angeles Lakers injuries: recent news
The complexion of the team’s injury report doesn’t look great. But Russell has improved to probable for this game, according to Brad Turner of the LA Times. Reddish is active for this game. Meanwhile, James is questionable with a calf injury. Lastly, Anthony Davis is questionable with a hip/groin injury.
Davis and James have been listed as questionable a lot this season but have rarely missed games. What makes this occasion a little different is that Davis missed the last game. Laker backers are looking for updates before they take LA to cover the spread. You will want to see both LeBron and Davis at least “probable” before taking LA to cover -4.5.
Double-check status updates Los Angeles (10:07 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
Knicks vs Lakers Prediction: Betting Tips
Julius Randle is the player you want in your fantasy lineup. He has come on strong for rebounding in the time frame leading up to Robinson’s injury. Take Randle for OVER 9.5 boards in this game at +110, a total that he stands a good chance of clearing. If Davis or James miss this game, Randle might clear that comfortably.
For a same-game parlay, I recommend a two-fold bet. Firstly, take a huge handicap on the Knicks at +8.5. Combine that with Randle going OVER 36.5 for points, rebounds, and assists. That will work out to +150. As skeptical as you have to be about the Knicks right now, LA’s recent loss to San Antonio and the fact that the Lakers have lots of injury notations can’t be ignored either.
Additional reading: NBA Christmas Day Schedule
