Knicks vs. Lakers prediction: New York to win, Luka Doncic projected for 32 points in Sunday's NBA game [3/8/2026]

The Los Angeles Lakers will face the New York Knicks in NBA action at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, beginning at 3:30 PM ET.

Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury updates, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Knicks as the most likely winner of the Knicks vs. Lakers game.

This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Lakers lineup will feature players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, while the Knicks will look to Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.

LeBron James will miss the game though with the superstar out for this one.

This article offers an expanded analysis of Sunday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.

Knicks vs. Lakers prediction: Who will win and cover?

Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Sunday's NBA game between the Knicks and Lakers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model gives the Knicks a 65% chance of defeating the Lakers. Our predicted final score has the Knicks winning 115-111.

According to our model, the Knicks (-5.5) have a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the 226-point over/under has a 51% chance of staying under.

Knicks vs. Lakers odds

We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Knicks vs. Lakers picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

According to our best NBA bets for Sunday, the top play to make on this game is Knicks -5.5 at the spread.

These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.

Knicks vs. Lakers player props

NBA player props are an enjoyable way to wager on Sunday's New York vs. LA Lakers game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Crypto.com Arena.

Jalen Brunson is expected to lead the Knicks with 26 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists, while Luka Doncic is projected to have 32 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the Lakers.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.

Knicks prediction

Our model's projected player stats for the Knicks are:

Lakers prediction

Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lakers:

Knicks vs. Lakers game-day updates and essential details

Sunday's action between the Lakers and Knicks at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled to commence at 3:30 PM ET.

• Who: New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
• Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
• Time: 3:30 PM ET/12:30PM PT
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena

Conclusion

We predict the Knicks, with a 65% win probability, will likely beat the Lakers on Sunday, with Luka Doncic projected for a game-high 61 fantasy points.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Knicks vs. Lakers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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