Knicks Preview: Keys to Defeating Los Angeles Lakers

Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is introduced before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Contain Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant has been awful during the 2015-16 NBA regular season. He’s averaging 16.2 points per game, but he’s doing so on a truly disappointing slash line of .321/.211/.885.

That doesn’t mean the New York Knicks can ignore Bryant’s illustrious history at Madison Square Garden.

Bryant has a career average of 27.2 points per game against the Knicks, per Basketball-Reference.com. That comes on a slash line of .474/.388/.833, which is as impressive as it sounds.

At Madison Square Garden, specifically, Bryant has illustrious feats including a 61-point outing and multiple 40-point performances.

Bryant may not be himself right now, but there’s no place more likely for him to find his form than New York City. He’s one of Madison Square Garden’s all-time performers, and that cannot be overlooked.

Bryant is likely to take a high volume of field goal attempts, and New York will need to contain him in order to achieve victory.