Lakers vs New York Knicks Preview and Prediction: LA Hopes to Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple

The Lakers will look to snap their five-game losing streak tonight in Los Angeles against Carmelo Anthony and the rejuvinated New York Knicks.

Hey there Carmelo what’s it like in New York City? I’m–approximately–two thousand miles away but tonight you’re in my city. Yes I rhymed city with city. So what?

Anthony, along with Derrick Rose 5.0, what’s left of Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingod, will try and add to LA’s losing streak. With injuries to a number of their key players, the Lakers have dropped five of their last 14 games.

Luckily, the team they are chasing for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Portland Trailblazers, have also struggled a little bit. Not as much, but enough for the Lakers to remain optimistic about their playoff hopes.

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However, the safety cushion LA used to have has dwindled and the Denver Nuggets are slowly creeping up behind them. To avoid getting leapfrogged in  the standings, the Lakers need a win tonight.

The Knicks have won five of their last six games, but their schedule has been kind to them. If the Lakers can get a win tonight, their upcoming schedule is also favorable to their playoff hopes.

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Friday, Dec. 11
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. PST
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell – Knee (Questionable), Nick Young – Calf (Questionable), Jose Calderon – Hamstring (Out), Tarik Black – Ankle (Out)

New York Knicks: No injuries to report

Prediction

Both the Knicks and the Lakers will be without Jose Calderon tonight, so the playing ground is level. For those who remember, Calderon spoiled a potential Lakers victory when the two teams met last season.

However, the Knicks do have Sasha “The Machine” Vujacic on the roster, so it won’t be easy.

After a few weeks without their starting backcourt, the Lakers might have one of their starting guards back tonight. Barring any setbacks, D’Angelo Russell is poised to return to the court tonight.

Russell might not stuff the stat sheet, but it has been made abundantly clear what he means to the team during his two week absence. Not only is he a pretty good basketball player, but he makes his teammates better.

The only player that hasn’t experienced a serious fall of has is Lou Williams, who has thrived as the team’s leading scorer off the bench. Jordan Clarkson however, has missed his fellow Swag Bro.

If the Lakers want to get a win tonight, they’re going to need a lot more than just Lou Williams.

Next: Three trade scenarios for the Lakers

For the latest on the Lake Show, follow @TheLakeShowLife on Twitter. Who do you think comes out with the win? Let us know in the comments below!