Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the New York Knicks for an
afternoon game.
1) JC is simmering Jordan Clarkson is coming off one of the top performances
of his career, hanging up 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in
Friday’s win over Indiana.
The combo guard was particularly effective in pick-and-rolls, finding offense
for both himself and others.
He was also hot across the floor, scoring at the rim, with his mid-range pull-up
and from 3-point range.
A repeat of that blend of scoring and playmaking will certainly be useful for
the Lakers, who will Lonzo Ball out for another game.
Jordan Clarkson got warmer as the game went on, finishing with 33 points, 7
boards, and 7 assists #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/9ZWjnv3NOB
2) B.I. could be back Another key will be the potential return of Brandon
Ingram, who had stepped up his game until being hit by an ankle sprain.
Ingram is considered questionable for this contest — a chance to show how much
he has learned since facing the Knicks in New York.
Ingram had one of his worst games of the season at Madison Square Garden,
shooting just 2-of-12 agains the elite rim protection of Kristaps Porzingis.
Since then, he has developed more counters to his game, particularly his pull-up
jumper and passing out of double teams.
Ingram’s driving is still his greatest talent, but those two additions will
serve him well against shot blockers like Porzingis.
Pump fake into the finger roll. Brandon Ingram was scoring from everywhere
tonight. 5 buckets off mid-range jumpers, 4 going to the basket and a pair of
3-pointers, all toward 26 points. pic.twitter.com/s4oJoCEq5n
3) Knicks have some weapons For New York, it all starts with Porzingis, who
is one of the league’s best post-up threats but can also stretch it out to
3-point range and take slower players off the dribble.
On the other side of the ball, Porzingis — who had 37 points, 11 rebounds and
five blocks in his last game against the Lakers — is as formidable as they
come, leading the league with 2.38 swats per game.
He also has a good amount of help.
Enes Kanter is a bruiser on the offensive glass and has a tough-to-defend hook
shot. Courtney Lee is a top-10 3-point shooter. Tim Hardaway Jr. is coming off a
31-point performance in which he drained six triples.
A victory for the Lakers will mean containing more than just New York’s 7-foot-3
monster.
Injury Report Lakers: Lonzo Ball (sore left knee) is out. Brandon Ingram (mild
left ankle sprain) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right Achilles tendon strain)
are questionable. Knicks: None.
Tip-Off: 12:30 p.m. PT TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes Radio: 710
ESPN and 1330 KWKW Unis: White Location: STAPLES Center — Los Angeles,
California
Click here to view game notes for this contest.
Player: Jordan Clarkson
Player: Brandon Ingram
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