New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Prediction for Sunday March 8 2026
Use Code WWWC In the second game of a Sunday NBA on ABC doubleheader, the New York Knicks will square off against the Los Angeles Lakers from Crypto.com Arena. The Knicks have won four of their previous five games and are averaging 118.8 points over that stretch. New York has an overall record of 41 wins and 23 losses. The Lakers have been hot as of late, winning four of their previous five games to push their overall record to 38 wins and 25 losses. Read more about this New York vs Los Angeles prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NBA Predictions!
- Game day: Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Arena: Crypto.com Arena
- TV channel: ABC
New York trying to end a long championship drought
The New York Knicks won the NBA Emirates Cup in December, but management decided not to hang a banner in the rafters. That is because the Knicks are in search of their first NBA title since 1973. New York ranks second in the league in offensive efficiency by Hollinger's NBA Team Statistics and are scoring 117.2 points per contest. The Knicks are three games above .500 on the road and are 1.5 games behind Boston for second place in the Eastern Conference standings. On Friday, New York shot a sizzling 58 percent from the field during a 142-103 road triumph against Denver.
All-Star G Jalen Brunson is the unquestioned leader of the Knicks and averages a team-high 26.2 points per game. All-Star F/C Karl-Anthony Towns has seen his scoring drop (19.7 ppg), but ranks second in the league with 11.9 rebounds. OG Anunoby scored 34 points in Friday’s victory and should be a lock for NBA All-Defensive First Team. Mikal Bridges (15.5 ppg) owns the league's active consecutive games streak.
Key Injury Report for New York:
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- Miles McBride (out) - core
Los Angeles looking to improve on defense
The Los Angeles Lakers struck gold when they landed All-Star G Luka Doncic at last year’s trade deadline. However, Doncic is not an ideal match with four-time MVP LeBron James because of defensive liabilities. The Lakers currently rank in the bottom third of the league in defensive efficiency by Hollinger's NBA Team Statistics and are giving up 115.3 points per game. Los Angeles have won 19 of 31 home games and are just a half-game out of fifth place in the Western Conference standings. On Friday, Los Angeles knocked down 17-for-37 from long range during a 128-117 home victory versus Indiana.
Luka Doncic continues to astound with a league leading 32.5 points per game. Doncic also leads the Lakers with 8.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Los Angeles G Austin Reaves provides plenty of scoring punch (23.5 ppg), but also struggles on the defensive side of the ball. In his 23rd season, LeBron James is averaging 21.4 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.6 rebounds.
Key Injury Report for Los Angeles:
- Maxi Kleber (DTD) - back
- Deandre Ayton (DTD) - knee
- LeBron James (DTD) - elbow
New York vs Los Angeles Pick
New York vs Los Angeles Spread Pick
- Pick: Los Angeles Lakers Spread
These two teams met last month and the Knicks prevailed with a 112-100 home victory. New York has struggled on the road with a 13-18 ATS record, while Los Angeles is 17-14 ATS on their home floor. The Knicks are playing the second game of a five-game road trip and have more winnable games ahead. Take the Lakers to win at home as a small underdog.
New York vs Los Angeles Over/Under Pick
- Pick: Under
New York ranks 23rd in the league in tempo and Los Angeles ranks 25th in that category. The Knicks were a middle of the pack defensive team a season ago, but have quietly improved to sixth in defensive efficiency for first year head coach Mike Brown. OG Anunoby will likely draw the assignment on Luka Doncic and has the ability to slow him down. Take the under.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers win 112-105
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