LAL vs NYK: LA Lakers vs New York Knicks: The New York Knicks have been in solid form this season and are 38-30 in the Eastern Conference. Lakers share the same record but position-wise are 3 points below from that of the Knicks in the West. Here are 3 Things to Know as Lakers Fight for the Top 6 Seed before NBA Playoffs
The Knicks have been one of the hottest teams in the league and they would’ve gained so much confidence from their gritty win over the Clippers on Sunday.
The Lakers haven’t quite been playing as well lately, but Davis is back in the lineup and was big for the Lakers in their big win over the Suns. The Lakers clearly have more to play for in this one.
Match Details: LA Lakers vs New York Knicks, LAL vs NYK
Time: 07:30 A.M. (IST)
Date: 12-05-2021
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles
3 Things to Know as Lakers Fight for the Top 6 Seed before NBA Playoffs:
1. Anthony Davis is back and is ready to win
After having a rusty few games post-injury, Anthony Davis showed his true All-Star potential. He had 42 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers made 13 shots from 3-point range to overwhelm the Phoenix Suns in a 123-110 win on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles avoided the three-game season sweep by Phoenix and remained one game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference standings with four games left. The top six teams avoid the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs.
2. How will Seedings Change as Dallas, Portland, and Lakers all Play for the top 6
With Portland beating Houston and Utah losing to Golden State on Monday, here are the updated scenarios in the West, with the Lakers and Blazers in contention for No. 6, and Dallas holding a slight edge for No. 5.
PORTLAND vs. LAL
– If POR goes 3-0 or 2-1, they finish ahead of LAL.
– If POR goes 1-2, LAL has to go 4-0.
– If POR goes 0-3, LAL can go 3-1.
DALLAS VS. LAL
– If DAL goes 4-0, 3-1, or 2-2, they finish ahead of LAL.
– If DAL goes 1-3, LAL has to go 4-0.
– If DAL goes 0-4, LAL could go 3-1.
DALLAS VS. POR
– If DAL goes 4-0 they finish ahead of POR.
– If DAL goes 3-1, POR has to go 3-0.
– If DAL goes 2-2, POR could go 2-1.
– If DAL goes 1-3, POR could go 1-2.
– If DAL goes 0-4, POR could go 0-3.
3. LeBron James Still Out for the Lakers
LeBron James had missed 24 of the Lakers’ last 26 games with a high ankle sprain. After sitting out 20 games, he returned for contests against the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors before missing the last four.
LeBron James is going to give that right ankle one more day of rest today vs. Knicks — and target a return on Wednesday vs. Rockets, sources tell @mcten and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2021
He was expected to come back for this game against the Knicks but Vogel has denied that.