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Knicks at Lakers: How & Who to Watch as NY Looks For Hollywood Ending

The New York Knicks have lost three in a row and the road to redemption gets no easier against the surging Los Angeles Lakers.

Geoff Magliocchetti

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While the stars of Hollywood receive their Academy Awards on Sunday night, trophies for their accomplishments in drama, the New York Knicks will seek an end to their own theatrics at Crypto.com Arena.

The Knicks return to the scene of their latest crime, as they'll complete a speedy Los Angeles doubleheader on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. This tilt against the gold-and-purple comes just over 24 hours after the Knicks dropped a 105-96 decision at the hands of their roommates, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Saturday evening.

New York's attempt to snap a three-game losing streak comes against a Laker group that has held its own and then some since LeBron James went down with a foot injury expected to keep him out for at least two more weeks. Los Angeles is 4-2 since James was lost after Feb. 26's win over Dallas and has prevailed in each of its last three thanks primarily to the efforts of a resurgent Anthony Davis. With a win, the Lakers, who have jumped to ninth place in the Western Conference standings, would have a .500 record for the first time this season.

Los Angeles won the first meeting between the two teams this season, a 129-123 overtime decision at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 31. 

What: New York Knicks (39-30) @ Los Angeles Lakers (33-34)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

When/Watch: Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App

Who's Favored: LAL -3

Keep An Eye On: Julius Randle

What a difference a weekend makes for Randle: last time around, he was a hero for both his literal last-second endeavors in South Beach and stepping up into a leadership role in the Jalen Brunson-less win over the Boston Celtics two days later. 

Since the Knicks lost their primary point guard, however, Randle has drastically struggled to the tune of 28 percent from the field over the last three games (which have featured only 19 minutes of Brunson, all coming in the first half of Thursday's loss in Sacramento), including a season-worst 5-of-24 outing against the Clippers. This season has seen Randle silence many critics and earn All-Star vindication. But his struggles sans Brunson can't be ignored. 

The temper issues that marred last season's disappointing postseason follow-up also surfaced in part one of this California dream, as a technical foul (elbowing Mason Plumlee going for a rebound for his eighth of the season) more or less changed the momentum of the game: the subsequent free throws permanently put the Knicks on the wrong side of the scoreboard. 

Time will tell if Brunson is able to partake in Sunday's contest. But if the Knicks are going to break this recent mini-run futility, they're going to need Randle to play to his All-Star potential, whether his primary facilitator is there or not.

Laker to Watch: Anthony Davis

Leave to Hollywood to provide drama, action, and the return of a champion legend all in one fell swoop. Rumors have persisted about the relationship between Davis and James, one threatens to blow up this Southern California roadshow before it ever truly gets rolling.

With James out, Davis (listed as probable on Sunday's injury report) has risen to the occasion, notably putting up a vintage performance in last Tuesday's win over Memphis to the tune of a 30-point, 22-rebound double-double. Time will tell exactly what Davis' Laker future entails, but he's undoubtedly their present in a playoff push that seemed improbable as little as two weeks ago.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has praised Davis for opening up new avenues across the lineup while James heals. Though Davis was held in check in Los Angeles' most recent victory (topping Toronto by 10 on Friday), D'Angelo Russell earned 28 points for their seventh win over the past nine.

“He understands what’s working, what’s not working, what’s being given, and what’s being taken away. The way he’s been playing, teams are perked up,” Ham said, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “They’re on high, extra alert towards him and his capabilities and what he’s been doing. So, they’re going to put one, two, three guys around him at all times."

Prediction

There's a way out of this losing streak for the Knicks and there are plenty of opportunities for them to right the ship before the postseason push begins, especially with a relatively stable cushion in the postseason standings. But asking them to take on a hot Lakers team looking to prove a thing or two seems like a tad too much to ask. Salvaging the road trip seems like a better goal for Tuesday's finale against Portland. 

Lakers 110, Knicks 101

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

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