IT was a game that takes you back to great rivalries in the NBA. This was East versus West played at the legendary Madison Square Garden.
It may not have the importance of some of those classic games played in what they call the “Mecca of Basketball” but it was an exciting game nevertheless.
Unfortunately for Knicks fans, who had some A-list celebrity regulars like Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson watching, the Los Angeles Lakers squeezed past the New York Knicks in overtime, 129-123 in New York Wednesday morning (Manila time).
Down the wire
With 12 ties and 15 lead changes, this game brought you to the edge of your seat. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter where the Lakers threatened to pull away when they increased their lead to seven points, 107-100 after a Russel Westbrook three-pointer.
But the Knicks clawed back and tied it 24 seconds before the end of the game when Jalen Brunson made a floating jump shot in the lane. Time ran out for the Lakers to win it at the end of regulation when Anthony Davis was called for an offensive foul as he was attempting the winning shot.
Behind Lebron James sixth triple double at the Garden, the Lakers finally pulled away in overtime to defeat the Knicks and end their two game losing streak in the east which started with a controversial loss in Boston.
Chasing history
Lebron James who led the Lakers with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists is closing in on Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s NBA scoring record. He currently has 38,299 points and needs only 89 points more to tie Jabbar as the all-time scoring king.
He also moved up to number 4 in the all time assists record surpassing Steve Nash after today’s game.
Anthony Davis, who is managing playing time after spending weeks on the injured list, scored 27 points for the Lakers.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 37 points with former Laker Julius Randle pitching in 23 points in a losing effort.
The Lakers will continue their east coast trip to Indiana against the Pacers while the Knicks will host the Miami Heat next.
