Below is a running diary of the Lakers’ matchup against the New York Knicks, with comments drawn from Mike Trudell’s @LakersReporter Twitter account, to ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
First Quarter
The Lakers are cold early, Roy Hibbert converting the only bucket, as they fall behind 10-2 on former Laker Sasha Vujacic’s corner 3.
Kobe drained three straight jumpers to reach 7 early points, helping LAL take a 19-18 lead before he sits around the 4-minute mark.
All tied at 25 after the first quarter at MSG.
Second Quarter
LAL lead 39-38 with 4:52 left in the 2nd Q; Nick Young has 5 straight points for the visitors. Kobe has 10 points, 2 assists, 2 boards.
Porzingis and Lopez have only 1 credited block between them, but their length is giving LAL problems getting clean looks.
Jordan Clarkson’s 3 put LAL up 49-45 at the half, and all ten Lakers who played had at least 1 made field goal, led by Kobe’s 10 points.
Third Quarter
Consecutive dishes from D’Angelo Russell to Julius Randle, who hit a J then dunked in transition, put LAL up 55-47.
Since LAL went up 8 on the B2B Russell-to-Randle hoops, the Knicks are on an 8-0 push to tie it at 55. Lakers can’t buy a bucket.
Derek Fisher just got ejected protesting a call drawn by Kobe, who lists Fish as his favorite teammate of all time.
New York outscored LAL 26-21 in the 3rd Q to take a 71-70 lead into the 4th Q. Hibbert and Kobe have 13 points apiece for LAL.
Fourth Quarter
