10:35 PM EST (NBA) - NEW YORK KNICKS VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS PREVIEW AND FREE PICKS
Time: 10:30 P.M. EST Venue: STAPLES Center This probably isn't how Derek Fisher envisioned going into his first road game against the Los Angeles Lakers as a coach. His New York Knicks' latest losing streak is five, and the club has dropped seven straight on the road in this series heading into Thursday night's matchup. Fisher was one of the Lakers' most popular players in winning five championships alongside Kobe Bryant. The former point guard is fifth in club history in games (915) and second in 3-pointers (846). His first season as a coach has been disastrous after he was chosen by Knicks president and former Lakers coach Phil Jackson for the job. The Knicks (12-51) are the NBA's worst team, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony is out for the season and his current roster includes mostly journeymen, unproven young players and cast-offs." Free NBA Picks. I think about how thankful I am and how blessed I am and how fortunate I feel to have lived the life that I'm living, and to have played in this game as long as I have, to play in L. A. for as long as I did, now to be coming back there as a coach in the NBA, I'm thankful, I'm grateful and I'm appreciative to our team and our organization for this chance and I promise you I'm not going to quit on what we're doing," Fisher said. "We're going to figure this out until we can become the success we know we can be." Another former popular Laker who can relate is Byron Scott, who won three titles as a player and is now coaching the NBA's fourth-worst team. Scott believes these franchises won't be terrible for long." I think it's pretty unusual," Scott said. "I think it probably hasn't happened in a long time in this league. Nicklaus James Whitney. You're talking about two very proud organizations so I don't think it's going to last very long either." The last time the Knicks won a road game over the Lakers, Eddy Curry dunked home the winning points in the final seconds of a 107-106 victory Feb. 13, 2007. New York is 0-12 on the road against Western Conference opponents. This contest figures to be the Knicks' best chance to gain such a victory with stops in Golden State and Phoenix left on a five-game trip. The Knicks are shooting 38.5 percent and averaging 82.8 points in this losing streak, which continued with Tuesday's 87-82 defeat to Utah. Alexey Shved was a bright spot with a season-high 21 points after he scored 19 the night before in a 106-78 loss in Denver. New York's Tim Hardaway Jr. may return from a two-game absence due to back problems. Los Angeles (17-46) ended its five-game slide Tuesday with a 93-85 home win over Detroit. Free Sports Picks. Former Knicks first-round pick Jordan Hill scored 16 to lead seven in double figures. Former Knicks guard Jeremy Lin is expected to play despite sitting out Wednesday's practice due to a thigh contusion. He is averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 assists in his last seven games. He'll look to get the ball inside to Ed Davis, who is shooting 74.6 percent since the All-Star break to lead the NBA." He just gets to his spots, he takes what the defense gives him," Scott said. Anthony scored 31 as the Knicks beat the Lakers 92-80 on Feb. 1. New York has won twice in 15 games since that victory.
Time: 10:30 P.M. EST Venue: STAPLES Center This probably isn't how Derek Fisher envisioned going into his first road game against the Los Angeles Lakers as a coach. His New York Knicks' latest losing streak is five, and the club has dropped seven straight on the road in this series heading into Thursday night's matchup. Fisher was one of the Lakers' most popular players in winning five championships alongside Kobe Bryant. The former point guard is fifth in club history in games (915) and second in 3-pointers (846). His first season as a coach has been disastrous after he was chosen by Knicks president and former Lakers coach Phil Jackson for the job. The Knicks (12-51) are the NBA's worst team, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony is out for the season and his current roster includes mostly journeymen, unproven young players and cast-offs." Free NBA Picks. I think about how thankful I am and how blessed I am and how fortunate I feel to have lived the life that I'm living, and to have played in this game as long as I have, to play in L. A. for as long as I did, now to be coming back there as a coach in the NBA, I'm thankful, I'm grateful and I'm appreciative to our team and our organization for this chance and I promise you I'm not going to quit on what we're doing," Fisher said. "We're going to figure this out until we can become the success we know we can be." Another former popular Laker who can relate is Byron Scott, who won three titles as a player and is now coaching the NBA's fourth-worst team. Scott believes these franchises won't be terrible for long." I think it's pretty unusual," Scott said. "I think it probably hasn't happened in a long time in this league. Nicklaus James Whitney. You're talking about two very proud organizations so I don't think it's going to last very long either." The last time the Knicks won a road game over the Lakers, Eddy Curry dunked home the winning points in the final seconds of a 107-106 victory Feb. 13, 2007. New York is 0-12 on the road against Western Conference opponents. This contest figures to be the Knicks' best chance to gain such a victory with stops in Golden State and Phoenix left on a five-game trip. The Knicks are shooting 38.5 percent and averaging 82.8 points in this losing streak, which continued with Tuesday's 87-82 defeat to Utah. Alexey Shved was a bright spot with a season-high 21 points after he scored 19 the night before in a 106-78 loss in Denver. New York's Tim Hardaway Jr. may return from a two-game absence due to back problems. Los Angeles (17-46) ended its five-game slide Tuesday with a 93-85 home win over Detroit. Free Sports Picks. Former Knicks first-round pick Jordan Hill scored 16 to lead seven in double figures. Former Knicks guard Jeremy Lin is expected to play despite sitting out Wednesday's practice due to a thigh contusion. He is averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 assists in his last seven games. He'll look to get the ball inside to Ed Davis, who is shooting 74.6 percent since the All-Star break to lead the NBA." He just gets to his spots, he takes what the defense gives him," Scott said. Anthony scored 31 as the Knicks beat the Lakers 92-80 on Feb. 1. New York has won twice in 15 games since that victory.
