NBA Preview, Odds, And Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks

The Los Angeles Lakers are raring to bounce back from their lopsided loss to the Celtics last Monday, and they are ready to vent their ire to the Knicks when they visit the Big Apple on Wednesday.

The Lakers suffered their worst defeat of the season last timeout, getting drubbed by 32 points, 139-107. The loss could not be more humiliating as it was handed by none other than their archrivals from Massachusetts, despite having Anthony Davis back from injury.

As leaders of the West, the team's pride certainly took a hit, and that's bad news for the Knicks.

Lakers:

Davis played on a minutes restriction in his return from a back injury last Monday. He played just 23 minutes against Boston where he contributed nine points and four rebounds. Los Angeles badly needed more boost offensively as LeBron James only accounted for 15 points in the game, although he had another double-digit-assist outing with 13.

Javale McGee top-scored the team with 18 on 7-of-9 shooting in just 18 minutes.

The loss to the Celtics, however, was just the second in their last 12 games, and just their ninth overall.

Knicks:

While the Lakers suffered the short end of the stick on Monday, the Knicks were on the complete opposite side.

New York claimed the scalp of the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, 106-86, to snap a three-game losing skid and register their second win in 10 games.

The mastery of the Cavs was the Knicks' third 20-point win of the season which came interestingly after the team suffered losses of the same point-differential in four of their last seven games.

The Knicks are still reeling in the East standings with a 12-32 record, tied with the Cavs for the 13th-14th spots in the conference.

Odds and Trends:

The latest NBA odds are projecting a relatively uncompetitive showdown between the two high-market squads. The Lakers are pegged with a 12-point handicap as the total lines are offered at O/U 223.5.

The Lakers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss and 4-1 in their last 5 road games.

The Knicks are 11-24 ATS in their last 35 games following an ATS win and 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog.

Over is 4-0 in Lakers' last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 5-1 in Knicks' last 6 Wednesday games.

Under is 5-0 in Lakers' last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game and 4-1 in Knicks' last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Prediction:

Straight-up: Lakers

ATS: Lakers

Total: Under