James Harden scored 27 points, Kawhi Leonard added 20 and the Los Angeles Clippers held off the New York Knicks 105-95

The New York Knicks failed their first test without Jalen Brunson, as a poor second half led to their demise against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday losing by a score of 105-95. New York has lost three straight games and is now 40-23 on the year while Los Angeles improves to 34-29.

SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks, predictions, and best bets for Friday's Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks game

For the New York Knicks, this journey is at least partly about the friends they made along the way. Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers afforded the

Analyzing Friday’s New York Knicks at LA Clippers odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Los Angeles takes on the New York Knicks after James Harden scored 50 points in the Los Angeles Clippers' 123-115 win against the Detroit Pistons.

Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are all great viable wing options for the Knicks, but the team needs a playmaker to engine the offense, and, with Brunson out for a couple weeks-plus, that'll be harder to come by.

While Karl-Anthony Towns had a big back-to-back in Los Angeles he faced off against the Lakers and Clippers, there was a much bigger issue looming in his mind.

Get the best Knicks vs. Clippers predictions ahead of Friday's clash. Free NBA picks and predictions for March 7.