Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks on Saturday, January 30 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Knicks about a 79% chance, and the Lakers would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 79%, with a projected score of Los Angeles Lakers 111, New York Knicks 119. The rating gap is 131 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Knicks on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2. The Knicks are 0-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.8.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026 and Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Walker Kessler (LAL) and Jose Alvarado (NYK). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Lakers lead 3-1, with the Lakers outscoring the Knicks by an average of 5.2 points per game. The last meeting was NYK 97, LAL 110.