Here is what you need to know before the Lakers take the floor at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.
1) Since returning from a weeklong injury stead, D'Angelo Russell has been arguably the Lakers' most complete player. Though his shot hasn't been particularly accurate over the last three games, he has averaged 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists while sprinkling in two double-doubles.
2) The Lakers are coming off a loss to their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics, who came away with a 113-107 win on Friday. Despite strong efforts from Russell (20 points) and Larry Nance Jr. (18 points, 11 rebounds), Boston was able to simply have Isaiah Thomas take over, as the All-Star piled up 38 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.
HIGHLIGHTS: Larry Nance Jr. scores 18 with 11 rebounds but the Lakers fall to the Celtics, 113-107. pic.twitter.com/7YYrU4sB5L
3) The Lakers are hoping to have the services of Julius Randle, who has struggled with a case of pneumonia since Jan. 26. Randle — who has played only six minutes in L.A.'s last four games — will be available, though the extent of his role is unknown.
4) This will be the second and final meeting of the year between the Lakers and Knicks. On Dec. 11, New York left L.A. with a 118-112 win after a monster effort from Kristaps Porzingis. The sophomore — who will face Russell and Brandon Ingram at this year's All-Star Rising Stars Challenge — racked up 26 points and 13 rebounds while tying a career-high with seven blocks.
5) The Lakers have come away fruitless in their last five games against the Knicks, marking the longest losing streak to New York in 24 years. Similarly, the purple and gold have lost five straight at Madison Square Garden, last winning at the World's Most Famous Arena on Feb. 11, 2011.
6) Despite admitting that persisting trade rumors are “testing my will,” Carmelo Anthony has shown to still be capable of exploding on any given night. The nine-time All-Star has scored only 32 points in his last two games combined, but had been averaging 30.0 per contest over his previous two weeks.
7) Lakers head coach Luke Walton said that Porzingis “dominated” their previous meeting and commended the 21-year-old for his ability to alter shots. Indeed, Porzingis is one of the league's greatest deterrents at the rim, and players guarded by him shoot 5.0 percent worse than average, which is the third-best differential in the NBA.
8) The Knicks expect to regain the services of Derrick Rose, who had missed the last four games due to a sprained ankle. The 2011 MVP was just finding his groove before the injury, averaging more than 20 points in his previous six games while showing off his trademark slashing, as he ranks third in the league in scoring off drives (8.6 ppg).
9) However, the Knicks will not have Joakim Noah thanks to his sore left hamstring. A two-time All-Star in his own right, Noah has struggled to score this season but has been one of the NBA's best at cleaning the offensive glass. Options to replace him in the starting lineup include Willy Hernangomez, who leads the rookie class in field goal percentage (54.2) and is averaging 15.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in his last three games.
10) Without Noah, the Knicks will need to find a way to continue their success on the boards. New York ranks second in the NBA in both rebounds (46.6) and second-chance points (15.7), though it also surrenders the second-most second-chance points on the other end (14.3).
Injury Report Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) and D'Angelo Russell (mild MCL sprain, right knee; strained right calf) are probable. Julius Randle (pneumonia) is questionable. Knicks: Derrick Rose (left ankle sprain) is probable. Lance Thomas (left orbital fracture) is questionable. Joakim Noah (sore left hamstring) is out.
Tip-Off: 4 p.m. PT TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
A photo posted by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Feb 5, 2017 at 9:06am PST
