The Lakers (29-18) are on the last stop of their current eight-game road trip in New York City where they will take on the Knicks (30-18) and Brooklyn Nets (13-24) in their next two games. This is the first time they’ll see both teams this season.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
When: 4 p.m. PT, Feb. 1
Where: Madison Square Garden
Watch: NBC, Peacock
One of the most notable games in the Lakers’ calendar every season is when they make their annual visit to Madison Square Garden. There’s just something about the Lakers facing the Knicks even if both teams don’t really consider each other as rivals. Perhaps it’s because Los Angeles and New York are two of the biggest and most popular cities in America or maybe it’s West versus East. Either way, there’s always something in the air when these two heavyweights go at it.
On Sunday, the Lakers will look to secure their fourth straight victory in MSG and seventh in the last 10 games. They’ve had a decent road trip so far, where they’ve won four out of six games. Putting their atrocious second half performance in the loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers aside, their defense has shown signs of improvement and they’ve been playing with more energy, focus and purpose on the offensive end. Their most recent victory against the Washington Wizards — even though they are the worst team in the association — is a testament to that.
The win against the Wizards was the perfect get-right game and set up for what should be the toughest challenge in this road trip. The Knicks, who are second in the Eastern Conference, are on a five-game winning streak after a slump that began right after they won the NBA Cup this year.
They’ll be ready for the Lakers and here’s what the purple and gold should expect:
A really good rebounding team
Perhaps the biggest advantage New York has over Los Angeles this season is that the former ranks second overall in rebounds per game (46.4) and third in offensive rebounds (13.6). Much of this is because the Knicks are big and athletic. They have Karl Anthony-Towns averaging 11.8 rebounds per game followed by Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. The Lakers will have to match their production on the boards or, better yet, dominate the possession battle if they want a chance to win this one.
An energized offensive team
A big reason for the Knicks’ recent winning streak is their improved offense, which hasn’t been stagnant. They’re playing with more speed and motion, not to mention that they have the league’s third-best offense. The Knicks are the type of opponent that the Lakers have struggled to defend this season. It’ll be interesting to see how head coach JJ Redick game plans against them and whether or not the Lakers’ offense — which now ranks seventh in the league — can outmatch them. This game will be a battle between two elite offenses.
A team that will throw the kitchen sink at Luka Dončić
With Miles McBride possibly absent in this one, the Knicks won’t have arguably their best point-of-attack defender. That means they’ll most likely throw the kitchen sink at Dončić, who will see different coverages all night. That will then cause a domino effect and impact LeBron James and the rest of the team. How the Lakers counter and play through this will obviously dictate the outcome of the game.
They’re going to need their superstars to play at a high level. Deandre Ayton and the rest of the supporting cast need to make their presence felt in this one as well.
It’s tough to beat a Knicks team at home but the Lakers have proven over the last three years that they can do it. They know they’re going to have to play well and they’ve also shown this season that they’re capable of rising to the moment. Let’s see if this happens once again on Sunday as West meets East.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, Bronny James (lower left leg soreness) and Austin Reaves (left calf strain) are questionable.
- Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) is listed as out.
- Miles McBride (left ankle) is out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
