New York Knicks Kevin Knox
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks losing streak stops at eight, as the orange and blue walked into Tinseltown and left with a huge road win.

Geoffrey Campbell

Losers of 13 of their last 14 games, the New York Knicks came into Friday night’s meeting with the Lakers with the third-worst record in the NBA. Yet despite the skid, it the seemed that the good news of Kevin Knox’s recent recognition as rookie of the month for the Eastern Conference award inspired the rest of his teammates.

Knicks started the game hot from the three-point line hitting five of eight triples, with Knox and Tim Hardaway Jr. each with a pair of triples. It certainly helped that the Lakers defense was completely non-existent to start the game as the Knicks got most of what they wanted during the first quarter.

In general, the orange and blue had a good energy about their team. You could hear most of the players talking on defense and active in their rotations. Obviously, turnovers and the Lakers not having LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma helped as well.

The first half also included a resurgence from forgotten guard Trey Burke. Burke had 12 points off the bench as he proved to be the most effective Knick point guard, in the first half, with Emmanuel Mudiay struggling from the field. Additionally, Frank Ntilikina left the game during the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.

The Lakers did close the half with a nice comeback but the Knicks held onto the lead, going into the second half with a 63-59 lead.

In the second half, JaVale McGee scored 12 points as the Lakers continued to close the gap, taking a six-point lead into the fourth quarter. Mudiay finally came alive, but the Knicks struggled to find their groove offensively as their hotting shooting from the first half cooled off.

CLICK HERE FOR ESNY's KNICKS TEAM CENTER 

During the fourth quarter, the intensity definitely picked up and a surprise contribution from Mario Hezonja brought the Knicks back into the fray. A lineup of Mudiay, Damyean Dotson, Hezonja, Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter produced some good minutes.

A back and forth affair in the dying minutes, players that had an impact in the first half such as Burke and Noah Vonleh didn’t see much of the court, as head coach David Fizdale opted to go with the hot hand. Kanter and Hezonja came up with some big offensive and defensive plays to seal a much-needed win on the road

Hardaway Jr. finished as the top scorer with 22 points, but a total team effort was the catalyst for the Knicks 10th win of the season. The Knickerbockers continue their west coast trip as they travel to Portland Monday night.

Follow on TWITTER

 NEXT: New York Knicks Trading Enes Kanter Would Signal A Great Specific Error 

 

-Follow ESNY - Elite Sports NY on Google News to keep up with the latest New York sports news.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR