Lakers vs. Knicks Line at Los Angeles -3.5: Lin-Sanity Continues
Carrie Stroup here and Lin-sanity continues when the new-look Knicks host the Lakers on Friday night. The current line for the Lakers vs. Knicks was -3.5. Lin is so big that Knicks games will now be broadcast in his native China. Get all the latest lines on this and other NBA games at Sportsbook.com and be sure to claim up to $250 based on your initial deposit here.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Lakers -3.5 & 186
Opening Line & Total: Lakers -3 & 186
With All-Stars Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony out, undrafted second-year free agent Jeremy Lin has become the focal point of the Knicks. He’s led New York to three straight victories, averaging 25.3 PPG, 8.3 APG, and posting an average plus/minus of +14.3. The undersized Knicks have spread the floor with three-point shooters while Lin pick-and-rolls with all the space created. New York topped three of the worst defensive teams in the NBA during this streak, but L.A. is going to present a far tougher test. The Lakers are playing the second night of a tough back-to-back after an overtime win in Boston Thursday night, but they defend the pick-and-roll well enough to hold their own defensively and have the size to overwhelm New York on offense. L.A. has scored 126, 115 and 113 points in their past three visits to Madison Square Garden, a SU and ATS win each time.
Stopping Kobe Bryant (29.2 PPG) will be the Knicks’ biggest issue. Bryant has averaged 40.3 PPG on 54.2% shooting from the field over his past three visits to New York, while Pau Gasol (16.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG) has added 23.7 PPG on 65% shooting on those nights. However, fatigue could be an issue for the Lakers after Bryant played 44 minutes and Gasol 41 in Boston on Thursday.
Along with Lin, stretch PF Steve Novak (5.6 PPG) has emerged as a force over the past two games, averaging 19.0 PPG in just 22.0 MPG, hitting 10-of-17 from behind the arc. Defensive specialist Tyson Chandler (12.0 PPG, 9.9 RPG) has also made a big impact on the offensive end since Lin stepped in, working the pick-and-roll with him and averaging 17.3 PPG on 65.4% shooting during the three-game surge.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (20-6) at UTAH JAZZ (13-11)
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Oklahoma City -1 & 201
Opening Line & Total: Thunder -2 & 200.5
Utah had been excellent at home all season, and it will have a chance to notch a big-time win when the road-weary Thunder visit on Friday night.
The Jazz are 11-4 SU and 9-5-1 ATS at home this season, and for Oklahoma City this is the last of a five-game, seven-day road trip that included a five-point loss in Sacramento Thursday night. Kevin Durant played 41 minutes and Russell Westbrook 38 against the Kings, one night before they’ll play in the thin air of Salt Lake City. The Jazz may have lost three in a row SU (0-2-1 ATS) to the Thunder, but this is an excellent opportunity to steal an upset win.
The Jazz are coming off back-to-back SU losses in their mini-road trip, getting blitzed by Jeremy Lin and Company in New York and losing a tight one in Indiana. Offensively, they continue to rely heavily on their post duo of Al Jefferson (18.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and Paul Millsap (16.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG). They’ve also gotten solid production out of second-year swingman Gordon Hayward (9.8 PPG) of late, who has averaged 14.0 PPG and been in double-digits in six of his past seven games.
The Thunder seemed to simply wear down on Thursday, getting outscored 19-6 in the final four minutes of an upset loss to the Kings. Defensive stopper Thabo Sefolosha is out with a foot injury (he’s not expected to play on Friday), and they’ve allowed 103-plus points in each of the first four games of their road trip. They’re fouling far too often, as opponents are averaging 25.0 free throws per game over their past four contests.
Durant (27.3 PPG, 50.3% FG) is obviously a force to be reckoned with right now, scoring 33 or more points in five of his past eight games. Westbrook (22.7 PPG) could pose the biggest problem for Utah though, as its plodding bigs will not be able to stay in front of him in pick-and-roll situations. Westbrook has been fantastic so far on the road trip, averaging 27.5 PPG on 52.3% shooting from the field, including 30-plus points in each of his past two games.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
