FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Knicks - Game 68

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Knicks – Game 68

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (33-35) | New York Knicks (40-30)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game win streak after suffering a loss to the New York Knicks 112-108

The Lakers vs Knicks took place in L.A. on Sunday night

This loss dropped the Los Angeles Lakers down to the 11th seed in the West. In a 4-way tie record-wise with the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers hosted the New York Knicks with a chance to get to .500 for the first time all season. However, the Lakers lost despite D’Angelo Russell stepping up once again with 33 points (13-for-19 FGs, 6-for-11 3s), five rebounds, and eight assists.

“That one hurt. That one hurt us. Just didn’t go our way, I guess,” Russell said. “I don’t really want to pinpoint anything because I didn’t really see it, but that was a tough one.”

Also once again, Anthony Davis came up a bit short, totaling just 17 points (8-for-18 FGs, 1-for-5 FTs), 16 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 

“My fault. I played terrible,” Davis said. “The guys did their job. I didn’t do my job tonight.”

The reserves made their contributions, with Austin Reaves finishing with 13 points (4-for-6 FGs, 4-for-5 FTs) and four assists.

“You lose one, but you hope to bounce back quick,” Reaves said on bouncing back after the loss. For the most part, if we compete and stick to who we are as a team then we’ll be fine moving forward.”

Dennis Schroder also produced off the bench, totaling 14 points (6-for-11 FGs). Rui Hachimura also had 12 points (5-for-9 FGs, 2-for-3 3s) and three rebounds. The bench carried the starters against the Raptors, but that equation flipped, with the Lakers’ starters, led by Russell’s +14, outplaying those of New York. 

The Lakers vs Knicks was ready to tip-off.

“It’s everybody in this locker room, when we lose, we lose as a team. When we win, we win as a team,” Schroder said.

The start of the Lakers vs Knicks first half.

Malik Beasley seemingly couldn’t get anything going for himself in this one, totaling just 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting from the field and 2-for-8 from beyond the arc. The Knicks sagged off of Beasley. As a result, almost all of Beasley’s eight three-point shots were open catch-and-shoot chances.

“No, not at all,” Darvin Ham said on if he’s concerned about Beasley’s shooting. “I encourage him to continue to shoot. I don’t care if he’s 0-for-20. He’s in this league because he can put the ball in the basket.”

The Knicks were without Jalen Brunson. They did have Mitchell Robinson, who missed the Lakers’ overtime win over New York in January. However, Robinson had just four points and five rebounds. It was Julius Randle who made the difference.

Randle finished the game with 33 points (11-for-24 FGs, 3-for-12 3s, 8-for-11 FTs), eight rebounds, and five assists.

“I’m a fan of his game. No relationship,” Russell said on battling with Randle. “We played together. We went our separate ways after that. It’s just been competitive energy ever since then.”

The end of the Lakers vs Knicks first half.

“That’s how I am with everybody. I’m not really friends with anybody, to be honest,” Russell added. “On the court, it’s no love. Just trying to battle and try to get the win. Maybe shake hands after.”

The start of the Lakers vs Knicks second half.

In addition to Randle’s performance, RJ Barrett joined in on the fun, totaling 30 points (12-for-27 FGs, 1-for-8 3s, 5-for-6 FTs) and five rebounds. Immanuel Quickley also produced 15 points (6-for-12 FGs, 1-for-3 3s) and three assists. No other Knick scored in double figures. New York is the only team in the NBA with a better record on the road than at home.

“We’re a super competitive group and obviously we weren’t happy about tonight,” Reaves said. “We didn’t get the win, but like I said, losses happen and we’ll move forward.”

Back-to-back 3’s from Russell against the Knicks in the first quarter, as he kept it going from the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors when he hit all four of his triples. Russell scored 11 of the Lakers’ first 16 points. He was 4-for-4 overall and 3-for-3 on 3s.

After scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter of the win against Toronto with four triples, Russell already had 23 points in the first half against New York on 4-of-5 3’s, plus five assists and zero turnovers.

The Lakers dropped to 33-35 and 8-4 since the trade deadline. They’re two games back of the sixth seed. Up next, the New Orleans Pelicans.

Lakers vs Knicks final score was 112-108, New York,

The Lakers now take on the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday, March 14th, at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game is on NBA League Pass and Spectrum SportsNet.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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