Knicks Lose in LA Against Lakers

January 30, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) The New York Knicks found a way to lose an already won ballgame against the Lakers. Ahead by 8 with a 99-91 edge and 5 minutes remaining, Lakers off-guard Sasha Vujacic caught fire and drilled two consecutive three point shots to initiate a come from behind win for the Lakers at home by a final score of 120-109 over the Knicks.

MVP candidate and the second leading scorer in the league Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Vujacic who ignited the rally scored 20 points and was a crucial compliment to Bryant’s well rounded game. Lamar Odom finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds while much maligned Center Kwame Brown notched a double-double in place of injured starter Andrew Bynum who will be out 6-8 weeks with an injured left knee with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Knicks which have played well of late after a disastrous start of the season and who have won 4 of their last 6, came into the game with much optimism. Coach Isiah Thomas who has dodged the Knicks supporters call for his demise acknowledged his teams success “I think we’ve basically been playing with a lot more honest effort,” he said. “Are we so far in the hole that we can’t get out of it? I don’t know. There is a commitment and a willingness in the locker room to play better basketball.”

Two guard Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 22 points and 4 assists. Zach Randolph, acquired in a mega deal last summer provided support with 16 points and 14 rebounds while David Lee came off the bench to notch 21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Knicks which are in a current Western Conference road trip will play the Utah Jazz Wednesday at Salt Lake City in Utah at 9PM while the Lakers embark on a 9 game road trip that starts on Thursday at the Palace in Auburn Hills against the Pistons and ends on February 13th against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their next home game will be on February 19th as they face the Atlanta Hawks at the Staples Center.

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Sports