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New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 12

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 6: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on February 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 6: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on February 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 6: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on February 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 6: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on February 6, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks have a chance to get back above .500 with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. What are the keys to defeating Los Angeles?

The New York Knicks are closing in on completing the first third of the 2017-18 NBA regular season. Through 26 games, New York is 13-13 overall and 12-5 at home, albeit with an abysmal 1-8 record during road games.

Although the Knicks won’t be able to address the road woes until Thursday, an opportunity to get back above .500 has presented itself.

New York’s .500 record is a reflection of the manner in which it’s performed in 2017-18. It began the season at 10-7, but has since gone 3-6, including a record of 3-3 over the course of the six most recent games.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, has won back-to-back road games over quality opponents: 107-104 against the Philadelphia 76ers and 110-99 at the Charlotte Hornets.

Thus, while the Lakers may be 10-15, this game is far from a guaranteed victory for the Knicks. Los Angeles is well-coached, deep at all five positions, and achieving stronger and more trustworthy chemistry with almost every game it plays.

The New York Knicks should be the best team on the court, but defeating the Los Angeles Lakers will be no easy feat. What must New York do to get the win?

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