Lakers at Knicks
The Los Angeles Lakers look to bounce back from their worst loss of the season when they visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Lakers got star power forward Anthony Davis (backside) back from a five-game absence but were still annihilated 139-107 by the Boston Celtics on Monday.
Davis had just nine points and four rebounds in 23 minutes and forward LeBron James tallied just 15 points to go with 13 assists as Los Angeles was no match for the host Celtics "We've been remarkably consistent throughout the year," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "Even when we haven't played well, we've found a way to stay in games and make it a game late and compete. They were able to sustain their aggression. They were the aggressors early in the game and then throughout the game. We just didn't have it." New York posted a solid 106-86 victory over the host Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday to break a three-game slide and win for only the second time in the past 10 games. "It's good to see guys make some shots and kind of build confidence," Knicks forward Marcus Morris said afterward. "We're trying to go in the right direction."
TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: Spectrum Sports Net, MSG, Sportsnet One
ABOUT THE LAKERS (34-9): Los Angeles had won 10 of its previous 11 games before a lackluster effort against Boston that included being outrebounded 48-36. "It's one of the most disappointing things for me because I feel that's a controllable thing," Vogel told reporters. "Boxing out, hitting people. We didn't do it at all in the first half." Center JaVale McGee scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting but James (5-of-12), Davis (3-of-7) and forward Kyle Kuzma (4-of-12) each made less than 50 percent of their shots.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (12-32): The performance versus Cleveland was New York's third 20-point victory of the season and it came after the team suffered four 20-point setbacks over the previous seven games. Morris scored 19 points but tweaked his ankle and his status for the Lakers may not be known until close to tip-off. "Just a twist," Morris said. "I'll have it reevaluated. Can't say as of now (if I can play). It's pretty sore. Like I said, we're going to reevaluate it. Obviously, everyone saw I twisted it. Just see how I feel and go from there."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Lakers rolled to a 117-87 home win over the Knicks on Jan. 7 after losing eight of the previous 10 meetings.
2. New York PG Dennis Smith Jr. (oblique) will miss his 14th straight game but could be available on either Friday against Toronto or Sunday versus Brooklyn.
3. Los Angeles PG Rajon Rondo (finger) had 13 points in 20 minutes against Boston after missing the previous three games.