The New York Knicks are the team with the best form in the NBA with a 9-match unbeaten streak. But this sublimation was extinguished by the uncomfortable defense of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers started today (February 4 Vietnam time) with some bad news. Reputable journalist Adrian Wojnarowski said that perimeter defensive specialist Jarred Vanderbilt has a serious injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Combined with a trip to the New York Knicks, a team with a 9-game unbeaten streak, Lakers fans are mentally preparing for a bad day.

However, LeBron James and his teammates were determined to bring joy to those who love the yellow and purple team, regardless of the opponent on the other side of the front line being a very strong team.

LeBron James and his teammates are guests on the field of the New York Knicks, the team is in extremely high form with 9 unbeaten matches.

Continuing the momentum from last Friday’s victory over the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the New York Knicks with the familiar “weapon” of a champion.

The 5-man lineup including Anthony Davis and LeBron James on the inside line, combined with the trio of Austin Reaves, Max Christie and Taurean Prince on the outside line, kept the entire New York team from scoring any points for nearly 7 minutes in the fourth quarter.

From being down 94-96, the Los Angeles Lakers held off their opponent and then rose to a 105-96 lead entering the final 2 minutes of the match. It wasn’t until the final 40 seconds of the game that the Knicks scored when the Lakers’ defense loosened up, but at this point the match was arranged.

The score in the fourth quarter was only 25-10 at one point, which showed how tightly the Lakers defense locked down the New York Knicks during the decisive moment of the match.

Holding the opponent to just 10 points scored in the first 11 minutes of the fourth quarter (3-18 FG), the Los Angeles Lakers won the final match with a score of 113-105 right at the holy land of Madison Square Garden.

This is the 4th win in the last 6 appearances of LeBron James and his teammates. At the same time, the Lakers broke the 9-match unbeaten streak of the New York Knicks, the team currently in the top-3 of the Eastern rankings. 

LeBron James led the LA team with 24 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds with the highest number of minutes played on the team (40 minutes). Austin Reaves is right behind with 22 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and a solid series of free throws at the end of the fourth quarter.

Anthony Davis after 2 days of rest is somewhat lacking in offensive feeling (12 points, 4-12 FG, 5 assists). However, AD played extremely actively on defense with 18 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal.

Anthony Davis only scored 12 points (4-12 FG) but had 18 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal

Max Christie appeared in the team that ended the match thanks to his impressive defense, contributing 6 more points with 100% FG (2-2 3PT) this match. Taurean Prince, D’Angelo Russell, Jaxon Hayes are the three remaining names scoring over 10 points. 

On the other side of the front line, OG Anunoby and Julius Randle are out due to injury. Replacing this duo is a pair of defenders who shine on the MSG field, including Donte DiVincenzo and PG All-Star Jalen Brunson.

 

DiVincenzo had 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists while Brunson scored 36 points, adding 10 assists and 6 rebounds. Despite having quite high stats, this duo was locked in the fourth round, showing that New York lacks a plan to cause a breakthrough.

They will still have a lot to do while Randle and Anunoby recover from now until NBA All-Star week (February 17-19).