New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, March 11 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Knicks at only 51%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 51%, with a projected score of New York Knicks 115, Los Angeles Lakers 114. The rating gap is 105 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 49 times in 100 games like this, the Lakers would win.
Recent form
The Knicks are 0-3 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -2.8. The Lakers are 3-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2.
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.
Offense against defense
The Knicks score 101.7 a game and allow 108. The Lakers score 128 and allow 115. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 108.4 for the Knicks and 118 for the Lakers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Lakers have been tough to score on, which should slow the Knicks.
The Lakers should find points against the Knicks' defense, which has been giving up 108.
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: 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 5.3 points per game. The last meeting was NYK 97, LAL 110.