New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards Prediction: Can the Knicks Thwart off the Wizards in Kristaps Porzingis' Return to MSG?
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards Prediction: Can the Knicks Thwart off the Wizards in Kristaps Porzingis' Return to MSG?
- When: 7:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: League Pass
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Knicks vs. Wizards Line Movement
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards Prediction
Break up the Knicks.
After a 30-point win against what remains of the Portland Trail Blazers - New York's fourth blowout win in its last seven games, surrounded by close road losses to the Suns, Grizzlies, and Nets - it's fair to say the Knicks have righted the ship, at least a little bit. They have the second-best point differential in the league over their last seven games despite the fact that only one of those games has been played at home.
Are they suddenly a threat to make the play-in and do damage when they get there? Not so fast...New York is still five games back of the 10th place Hawks with only 13 games left to play, but nobody has told them to stop trying, and against bad teams, that's a problem right now.
The Washington Wizards certainly fit that description. The Wiz hold the unsightly distinction of being the lone team to lose to the skeleton Blazers since the break. Overall, they're 2-8 since All-Star with the 5th worst net rating in the NBA in that time and wins against only the Pacers and Pistons.
They shouldn't be this bad. Bradley Beal is out, but everyone else is healthy, and a top three of Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma and KCP with some theoretically interesting young players should be able to hang tight with teams. But the Wizards have been allergic to defense since their hot start, and against a Knicks team that can actually take advantage of opponents who show little resistance, that's a bad recipe. Buy New York's too-late turnaround and give the points at home.
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards Pick
- Knicks -5.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)
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Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
- When: 7:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: League Pass
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Raptors vs. Lakers Line Movement
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Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Can it get any worse for the Lakers? Their latest embarrassment: a 20-point road loss to the Wolves in which Minnesota players were openly mocking Russell Westbrook for his play.
It was LA's third straight loss, their fifth loss in six games, ninth in their last 11, 16th in their last 21 since they were last a .500 team way back in January. They are what they are at this point. They have just two victories against winning teams in that time and are just 2-9 ATS in their last 11.
Now they go into Toronto, a team that is playing well. They've won and covered five straight, all on the road on a Western swing. That includes an 11-point victory over the Raptors. LeBron scored 30 in that game, and he's now listed as day-to-day. It's not inconceivable he sits out.
Its time to stop overthinking the team with the third-worst net rating in the NBA since the break. Give the points at home.
Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers Pick
- Raptors -9 (-105) (Bet $105 to Win $100)
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