Knicks @ Lakers Predictions 5/11/21: Take the Under 213.5

'The Knicks are the No. 1 team in opponent points per game this season, only allowing 105 per game. No. 2 on the list? The Los Angeles Lakers,' says Zach Rainey in his preview of the game tonight. I think you can see why he likes the under. He explains fully below...

The NBA Playoffs are officially one week away, with the play-in tournament starting one week from today.

Teams are looking to finish their season and remaining games hopefully unscathed in terms of injuries, while some teams still look to find answers.

One of those teams, in my eyes, is the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis proved last year just how unstoppable the two are together on the floor, so I’m not doubting their ability by any means.

I’m more talking about their health. James is listed as probable for the game tonight at home against the New York Knicks and are currently -5.5 on the spread. Davis is also listed as probable.

My long-term concern with the Lakers is obviously the health of James and Davis. I’ll be curious to see how James looks following the high-ankle sprain, as that injury in particular is known to linger. James left fans with more questions than answers when he said he wasn’t going to get back to 100 percent again via ESPN.

This is really the first major injury James has had to deal with in his long career. Even if he comes out and has a great showing against the Knicks tonight, my biggest question remains: will he and Davis be able to stay healthy for two straight months?

As for the Knicks, their turnaround has been a great story. After every one laughing at them for signing three power forwards on the first day of NBA free agency a few years back and after missing out on Zion Williamson, to being the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference is quite impressive.

They have also been a bettor’s dream as the Knicks have the best record against the spread in the NBA at 43-24-1. Both teams have motivation for their remaining games this season, as the Knicks would probably like to remain the No. 4 seed going into the playoffs , hanging on to home court advantage for their first round matchup.

Currently, only one game separates the Knicks from Miami in the No. 6 spot in the East, where they would then have to take on Milwaukee round one. As for the Lakers, they have 1.5 games separating them from No. 6 Portland, so unless the Trail Blazers collapse, they will be playing in the Play-In tournament.

As far as a side tonight, I’m going to take under 213.5. In many of their games again playoff opponents, the games tend to be lower scoring. The Knicks are the No. 1 team in opponent points per game this season, only allowing 105 per game. No. 2 on the list? The Los Angeles Lakers.

I could see them trying to ease LeBron back in and take it slow. 2.5 games separate the Lakers from the Golden State Warriors for the No. 8 seed. The With four games to go, they’re almost locked into that spot, so I could see them even resting LeBron and Davis in the final few games.