After the Los Angeles Lakers took care of the Detroit Pistons in their last game, they will now host the worst team in the NBA, the New York Knicks.
The Knicks come in with a five-game losing streak and a 12-51 record. Despite having the worst record in the league, New York has yet to be eliminated from playoff contention, but the Lakers have. That clearly proves how superior the Western Conference is compared to the Eastern Conference.
Just like the Lakers, the Knicks are on pace for the worst winning percentage in franchise history. Throughout the season, the Knicks have endured various injuries to numerous players and roster shakeups. Plus, implementing the Triangle Offense has completely failed with this unit.
Also, similarly to the Lakers, the Knicks are playing without their superstar player in Carmelo Anthony. The eight-time All-Star opted to undergo season-ending knee surgery after the All-Star break.
These two teams faced each other over a month ago, in which the Knicks handed the Lakers a 92-80 loss. Anthony was available in that game, leading his team with 31 points and eight rebounds on 13 of 25 shooting. However, aside from Anthony, Langston Galloway was the only other Knick in double figures with 13.
The Lakers got 19 points from their rookie Jordan Clarkson and 19 more points from Carlos Boozer, who also snatched 10 boards off the bench.
In their last game, a win over the Pistons, Los Angeles received excellent production from their starters, something that has rarely happened since Kobe Bryant went down with his season-ending injury. The recent success of the starters is due in part by Byron Scott changing the lineup. He has inserted Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson, and Tarik Black back into the lineup to get more offensive production from that unit. Robert Sacre has been tossed into the doghouse, while Ryan Kelly and Carlos Boozer have been earning significant minutes off the bench.
The Knicks took a loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz in their last game. Despite the loss, the Knicks learned that newcomer Alexey Shved could produce nicely when given heavy minutes. The 26-year-old Russian poured in 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks. Shved was acquired before the trade deadline for Pablo Prigioni. Andrea Bargnani has also come to life since returning from his most recent injury. He put in 20 points in Tuesday’s loss.
Both these teams have nothing to lose anymore, which has given both coaches the freedom to experiment different lineups and rotations. The Knicks and Lakers, two historic franchises, are now competing for ping pong balls.
The game tips off at 10:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.