Joe Dellera breaks down the NBA matchup between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, March 12 and shares his betting pick.

TheLakershost theKnickstonight as they look to continue their climb through the Western Conference standings. Can the Knicks snap the Lakers three-game winning streak, or will the Knicks suffer their fourth-consecutive loss?

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The Knicks miss Jalen Brunson, and his status for tonights game remains up in the air as he deals with a foot injury. Immanuel Quickley has stepped into a starting role in Brunsons absence, but Brunsons impact on the offense and the Knicks rotations is significant. If he cant play, this dramatically hurts the Knicks chances of success.

Situationally, this is a bad spot for the Knicks. It is the teams third game in four days and the second night of a back-to-back after losing to the Clippers yesterday. Even though the Knicks are 6-4 on the season with no rest, this is not an ideal spot for a potentially undermanned team.

Julius Randle is one player who has historically had success against the Lakers. Randle has thrived against the team that drafted him, and in three games over the last two seasons, he has averaged 25 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.The Knicks will need to lean on him today, especially if Brunson is out. His rebounding prop is set at 8.5 today, and I like the over.

The Lakers have been much improved after their trade deadline acquisitions, and even though Anthony Davis (foot) is listed as probable, this is an injury designation he has often played through. Although the Lakers have been starting Malik Beasley and Troy Brown Jr., they played fewer minutes than both Dennis Schroder and Austin Reaves in DAngelo Russells first game back from injury.

The Lakers have now won three straight games, and the minutes with Russell on the floor have been excellent. In 274 possessions, the Lakers are +8.7 in Point Differential with Russell on the floor. The team is thriving with a point guard who can stretch the floor and facilitate the offense.

Over the last two weeks, the Lakers have a +2.5 Point Differential and are beginning to round into form as they climb their way into the Western Conference playoff picture. Their offense has still struggled over this stretch, but the defense has been excellent by allowing just 104.5 points per 100 possessions. While Russell is not the best defender, his offense should make up for any defensive deficiencies.

This is a bad situational spot for the Knicks as they are struggling on this Western Conference road trip. Even though the Lakers will be without LeBron James once again, they should have enough firepower to take on the Knicks without Jalen Brunson.

I expect the Lakers to send the Knicks out of LA with a loss as they will have particularly tired legs with a shorter rotation without Brunson in their third game in four days.

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