This is a 10* on NYK

So there’s no LeBron James tonight for the 9-9 Lakers, who visit Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. James is suspended for getting into a fight with the Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart on Sunday. The Lakers went on to win in Detroit, but were actually behind by 15 entering the fourth quarter against one of the worst teams in the NBA. That doesn’t bode well for tonight. The Lakers have lost six of their last 10 games, most of those without James, who had been out with an abdominal strain. The Knicks, who are 4-7 their past 11 games, thought they had a win Sunday when they were leading the Bulls going into the fourth. But they gave up 37 points in the final quarter to lose 109-103 as 5.5 point road underdogs. Expect New York to play better at home tonight - for a full four quarters - and take advantage of the Lakers not having LeBron. On the road, the Lakers have been very bad defensively, giving up 117.3 points/game. Play on NEW YORK

AAA