New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, 12/25/12, 3:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -3.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -4
Opening Total: 214.5
Current Total: 212.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
New York has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it comes off a 94-91 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves as eight-point home favorites, while going UNDER the total for the third time in four contests. “This was a big game for us,” stated Knicks center Tyson Chandler. “These are the kind of games that you lose.” Forward Carmelo Anthony is playing tremendous basketball right now, averaging a team-high 28.3 points per game. New York is 16-5 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread on Christmas Day.
The Knicks are 8-5 overall on the road, including an even 3-3 mark versus Western Conference foes. New York tallied a 116-107 win over Los Angeles as 5.5-point home favorites in the first meeting this year, while going OVER the posted total of 206. Anthony scored 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting in that affair. The franchise is 3-10 all-time when playing at the Staples Center, something to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page.
Los Angeles has won four games in a row, including a 118-115 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors as 1.5-point road favorites Saturday, as it welcomed back starting point guard Steve Nash to the floor. “It’s great to be back playing with these guys, it was very painful to sit out,” stated Nash. He scored 12 points and dished out nine assists after missing nearly two months with a leg injury. Los Angeles is 10-11 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Lakers will be playing their 14th straight game on this particular holiday, as they look to improve upon their disappointing 4-9 record during that span. Los Angeles will be led offensively by shooting guard Kobe Bryant, who is averaging an NBA-high 29.7 points per game, while sitting second all-time in Christmas Day points with 349. He stands just 29 points away from moving past Oscar Robertson as the league’s leading scorer on this day of the calendar year.
Sports bettors will likely back the Lakers due to the favorite being 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, while the Knicks are 2-6 ATS on the road.
Don’t miss out on a winning season and let the NBA handicappers at Maddux Sports line your pockets with cash. Long term packages are available now!
