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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 – DECEMBER 10: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks shake hands against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2017 in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 10: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks shake hands against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2017 in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defense: Effort

It’s getting to the point where the key to victory in ever game can be summarized with one word: Effort. The New York Knicks have played genuine lockdown defense at times this season, but the intensity seems to be determined on a game-by-game basis.

Against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks must match the defensive intensity that head coach Luke Walton has demanded from his players in 2017-18.

The Knicks and Lakers are each allowing 19.2 points off of turnovers per game. Capitalizing on the opportunity to turn defense into offense requires effort, above all else, which means New York will miss out on this golden opportunity if it plays yet another lifeless game.

If the Knicks buy in on the defensive end of the floor, the interior players should control the paint and the perimeter defenders should be able to work the passing lanes.

Aside from creating turnovers, the Knicks must be quick to defensive rebounds and committed to running Los Angeles off the three-point line. The Lakers have a number of capable of shooters, and rank No. 9 in second chance points per game.

The team that’s quicker to the ball is generally the team that wins, and the Lakers will test the Knicks’ limits during the 2017-18 NBA regular season.

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