New York Knicks Preview: Keys To Defeating Los Angeles Lakers

2 of 6

Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) drives past Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Limit Turnovers

The New York Knicks did a poor job of taking care of the ball during the 103-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings. They moved the ball quite well, but costly turnovers were the story of the second half and the reason New York couldn’t pull away.

If the Knicks commit a high number of turnovers against the Los Angeles Lakers, the game will likely be lost on that point alone.

New York committed 16 turnovers against the Kings, but benefited from Sacramento only turning that into nine points. The Knicks scored 25 points off of turnovers themselves, but that isn’t the story in this instance.

The Knicks can’t give the Lakers any additional opportunities to push the pace and get out in transition by committing turnovers.

Sacramento may have been unsuccessful in doing so, but the Lakers will take errant passes and turn them into two points on the other end. There are a number of explosive athletes who will be waiting in the wings to create in transition.

That’s another topic entirely, but the Knicks will need to limit turnovers to prevent one of Los Angeles’ primary forms of offense from flourishing.

Home/Knicks News