La Clippers vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions March 7th 2025

Clippers’ James Harden Soars Into Meeting With Knicks

Desperate to find consistency, the Los Angeles Clippers will look to build on James Harden’s explosive performance when they host the New York Knicks on Friday night in Inglewood, Calif.

Clippers Hope Harden’s Hot Streak Sparks a Turnaround

The Clippers had lost six of their previous seven games before Harden erupted for a season-high 50 points in a 123-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Harden became just the fifth player in franchise history to record a 50-point game, joining Bob McAdoo (who did it four times), World B. Free, Charles Smith, and Kawhi Leonard.

“I can do it, it’s not my first time,” Harden said after the game. “For someone who’s done it probably their first time, (it) takes a lot of energy, but for me it’s just understanding the game, seeing the game within the game.”

Harden, who has 24 career 50-point games, was 14 of 24 from the field and 6 of 13 from three-point range while playing 38 minutes for the second consecutive night.

Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23 points in his highest-scoring game since joining the Clippers at the trade deadline, while Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers were missing Kawhi Leonard (rest), Norman Powell (hamstring), and Derrick Jones Jr. (groin) but still managed to snap their skid and earn a much-needed win.

Complicating matters for Los Angeles was a grueling stretch of eight consecutive road games. Before facing Detroit, the Clippers had not played in their own arena since Feb. 12.

“Just coming in here and seeing (Harden) ready, he gives the motivation for (the) rest of the locker room and especially younger guys,” Bogdanovic said. “Everybody contributed, but it starts with him.”

Knicks Likely Without Jalen Brunson After OT Loss to Lakers

The Knicks blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 113-109 in overtime to the Lakers on Thursday.

Star guard Jalen Brunson put up 39 points and 10 assists, but left the game late in overtime with a right ankle injury after sinking two free throws. He limped off the court and did not return.

New York coach Tom Thibodeau did not provide a timetable for Brunson’s return, but his availability for Friday’s game is in serious doubt.

OG Anunoby scored 20 points, while Josh Hart had 18 in the loss. The Knicks struggled offensively in the final period, scoring just 15 points in the fourth quarter and managing only 14 in overtime.

New York has now lost two straight games, marking just the second time in their last seven contests that they’ve dropped back-to-back games.

Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors for personal reasons, returned against the Lakers, finishing with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

With Brunson likely out, the Knicks will need another player to step up offensively. Brunson leads the team with 26.1 points and 7.4 assists per game, and his absence will be a major factor in New York’s ability to keep pace with a Clippers team looking to find its rhythm.

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What’s at Stake?

For the Clippers, a win would continue their push back toward the top of the Western Conference standings as they work to regain consistency.

For the Knicks, playing without their best player will test their depth and resilience as they try to avoid a third consecutive loss.

With Harden red-hot and Brunson potentially sidelined, expect the Clippers to attack early and take advantage of New York’s short-handed lineup in this key matchup at Crypto.com Arena.