Lakers look to end road slump vs. Knicks (Feb 06, 2017)
NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to stop a 13-game road losing streak when they visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
The Lakers (17-38) haven't won on the road since knocking off the Philadelphia 76ers 100-89 on Dec. 16. They have allowed at least 100 points in 12 of those games and rank 27th, giving up 110.3 points a night.
On Thursday, the team announced the return of former Lakers great Magic Johnson as an advisor to ownership on all matters of business and basketball.
"Everyone knows my love for the Lakers," said Johnson. "Over the years, I have considered other management opportunities, however my devotion to the game and Los Angeles make the Lakers my first and only choice. I will do everything in my power to help return the Lakers to their rightful place among the elite teams of the NBA."
Johnson has his work cut out for him. Los Angeles hasn't made the playoffs since the 2012-13 season, finishing last in the Pacific Division every year since then.
Los Angeles has lost five straight to the Knicks, including a 118-112 decision at the Staples Center on Dec. 11. The Lakers are coming off a 113-107 setback at Boston on Thursday in which they shot just 39 percent.
Lou Williams hit 8 of 10 free throws en route to his 21st 20-plus point game of the season against the Celtics. D'Angelo Russell scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out six assists. It was the third consecutive game with at least 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists for Russell, the longest stretch of his career.
Los Angeles guard Brandon Ingram is tops among rookies in minutes played (27.7).
New York is struggling, too. They haven't won two straight games since Dec. 20-22 -- a string of 23 games. The Knicks trailed by as many 27 points to the
Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday before bowing 111-104 for their eighth loss in the last 12 outings.
Brandon Jennings, who has started at point guard the previous four games in the absence of Derrick Rose (sprained left ankle), led the Knicks in scoring (23 points) and assists (10) in the loss to Cleveland. It marked the fifth time he topped the team in scoring and 24th time he led in assists -- four more times than Rose.
"I just try to push the pace and try to get easy buckets," Jennings explained. "I feel like we need to play fast. It's just easier for everybody. Just keep shooting when you get an open shot, regardless of who it is."
Another Knick reserve who has filled in capably in recent games is center Willy Hernangomez. Over the last three games, he is averaging 15.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 31 minutes. He leads all rookies in field goal percentage (54.2) and is third in rebounding (5.6).
Hernangomez will see increased playing time on Monday due to Joakim Noah's sore left hamstring that he suffered in the first quarter on Saturday. The Knicks ruled Noah out against the Lakers.
