The visiting New York Knicks look for payback while the Los Angeles Lakers hope to extend their winning streak to eight.

Catch the game tomorrow at 11:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: New York Knicks  (40-21, 19-10 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • OG Anunoby
  • Josh Hart
  • Mikal Bridges
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks are looking to bounce back after a 114-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, but they remain 6-3 over their last nine games. Then again, despite the recent success, their -4.0 net rating in that stretch highlights some inconsistencies. The team also fell to the Lakers 128-112 on February 2nd, despite Josh Hart’s triple-double, as top scorers Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, combining for 10-of-30 shooting. 

Brunson (26.5 PPG), Towns (24.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG), and Hart will lead the charge again, supported by Mikal Bridges (17.4 PPG) and OG Anunoby (16.4 PPG), especially the latter, who has chipped in 29 and 23 points in his last two games. Hard-nosed forward Precious Achiuwa also poses a threat after his 15-point, 15-rebound performance against the Lakers. The Knicks will need a more efficient offensive outing and tighter defense to avenge their earlier loss.

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HOME: Los Angeles Lakers (39-21, 15-14 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Austin Reaves (day-to-day) / Gabe Vincent
  • Luka Doncic
  • Rui Hachimura (day-to-day) / Dorian Finney-Smith
  • LeBron James
  • Jaxson Hayes

The Lakers are in dominant form, winning a league-best 19 of their last 23 games since January 16th, including seven in a row. Their offense averages 115.6 points per game during this stretch, while their defense has been elite, allowing just 106.1 points. LeBron James continues to defy age, posting a triple-double (33 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) in their February 1st win over the Knicks and averaging 26.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists since the new year. Luka Doncic, meanwhile, in his 10th game as a Laker, is finding his groove, scoring 31, 29, and 30 points in his last three outings. 

While key secondary weapons Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are likely to remain sidelined, role players like Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dorian Finney-Smith have stepped up – Trey Jemison III is also giving some nice minutes when called upon. The Lakers’ balanced attack, growing familiarity with Doncic, and improving defense make them a tough matchup for any team.

PICKS:

Spread: Knicks (+4)

Over/Under: Over (229)

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