Both of these teams have the type of upside to give their respective fanbases hope for a summer run, but in the scope of tonight’s New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game, there is, in my opinion, only one way to go about betting it.
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Picks and Predictions
I’m perfectly fine with labeling this as the game of the night. The national TV double header has a depleted Dallas team in the first game and a flooding Phoenix squad late, so if I have to pick only one game to watch (what is this, 1997?), it’s this one out in Los Angeles.
While I think this game has potential, I don’t think it delivers. Both of these teams can score in bunches, but only one of them is coming off of an overtime loss last night. It’s fun to note that the Knicks are 3-9 ATS when playing in a rest disadvantage spot (only the aforementioned Suns and Kings have been worse) and even more fun to look at their defensive struggles in their most recent fatigue spots.
New York On Zero Rest Since February 1*
- Feb 3 at TOR: 115 points allowed
- 52.4% shooting allowed (11 3PM)
- Feb 12 vs. ATL: 148 points allowed (OT)
- 50% shooting allowed (14 3PM)
- Feb. 21 at CLE: 142 points allowed
- 60.9% shooting allowed (19 3PM)
*Outscored by 10+ points in all three games
“Fun” I guess is only accurate if you’re joining me on the Clippers tonight – if not, I supposed those numbers wouldn’t be very entertaining. The Clippers had last night off and are in the midst of a three-game homestand that could well spark a late season peak.
JAMES HARDEN DROPS 50 IN THE CLIPPERS' WIN ‼️
🧔 50 PTS
🧔 4 REB
🧔 5 AST
🧔 6 3PMHis 24th 50-PT game leaves him 1 behind Kobe Bryant for 3rd all-time! pic.twitter.com/2RagpTcy4N
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Kawhi Leonard being active is obviously a talking point and James Harden’s 50-piece against the Pistons led the highlight shows, but what about this Ivica Zubac run of dominance?
- Six straight double doubles
- 69% FG in those games
- Nine assists against two turnovers in March
Are we supposed to think that Karl-Anthony Towns slows him down? Mitchell Robinson is back and that could be impactful a big way in the postseason, but I’m not fearing it right now – he’s yet to clear 15 minutes in a game and after missing the first three months, how much can realistically be expected on no rest tonight (if he plays at all)?
Zubac props are where I’ll be looking once the prop markets open as injury statuses become more clear – the Knicks allow the sixth most shots from inside of five feet (30.2 per game) and with Harden inspiring fear off the bounce, I’d look for the home team to surpass that number.
Every game for the remainder of the regular season is likely to mean more to the Clippers than the Knicks and while that’s hard to quantify in the handicapping of a game, it’s not a bad thing to have in your back pocket when asking for a play-in team to cover a touchdown against the current three-seed in the East.
Pick: Clippers -7 (-112, DraftKings)