Lakers Come Back to Beat Knicks

The Lakers rallied after allowing an astounding 65 points to the Knicks in the first half to beat New York, 116-114, at Staples Center last night. Pau Gasol was out with strep on Tuesday, but the game was really no different than when the Lakers lost on the road to Indiana and Sacramento and scraped by to beat Minnesota, Sacramento and Phoenix at home. Gasol, who was sent home 90 minutes before tipoff, will most likely not be ready for Friday’s game at Miami. Gasol will likely be replaced by Lamar Odom, who started for the first time this season and finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Odom isn’t in perfect health either, as he left the game at one point when he wasn’t feeling well due to an upper respiratory infection, telling the Los Angeles Times, “I just ran back out there and tried to do my job. They play such an up-tempo style of basketball, they don’t really take time off the clock. So being down 15, you can work yourself back into the game.”

Andrew Bynum, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds, told the Times, “Good win for us. We showed the ability to pick up the intensity and play better defense.” Up next for the Lakers, they will begin a four-game trip with stops in Orlando (19-6) and New Orleans (14-7). “It’s four games in five nights. We’re going to be pressed a little bit, physically. It’s going to be good for us. We’re looking forward to the trip … I think the challenge is important,” said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.
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