One of the best things about the NBA season from a fan's perspective is stumbling upon a random game with low expectations and realizing, "Oh, this is actually a ton of fun." That's exactly what happened Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Lakers and Knicks traded big shots and rising stars showed their full skill sets as New York protected home court with a 113-109 overtime win. There were clutch plays down the stretch in the fourth quarter and the extra frame, but the best sequence of the game came in the third quarter when the Lakers and Knicks combined for eight consecutive makes over a two-minute stretch.
MORE: Box score, full stats from Lakers vs. Knicks
It all started with a deflection by Brandon Ingram, one that opened the door for a Lakers fast break. Lonzo Ball threw down a one-handed slam off Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's lob pass, and then both teams became offensive juggernauts.
The @Lakers and @nyknicks go back and forth for eight consecutive made shots!
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2017
Lonzo Ball has 10 PTS just in Q3.
Porzingis is up to 29 PTS overall. #LakeShow #Knicks pic.twitter.com/oT2Qqf7Mvb
Here's how it played out...
6:03 — Ball alley-oop dunk (Caldwell-Pope assist)
5:32 — Kristaps Porzingis 3-pointer (Jarrett Jack assist)
5:18 — Ball 3-pointer (Brook Lopez assist)
5:04 — Enes Kanter dunk (Courtney Lee assist)
4:56 — Ball layup
4:43 — Kanter layup (Jack assist)
4:31 — Lopez 3-pointer (Ball assist)
4:13 — Porzingis 3-pointer (Jack assist)
Ball had 10 points, two assists and two steals in the third alone, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Porzinigis was too much to handle, however, as "The Unicorn" dropped a game-high 37 points on LA along with 11 rebounds and five blocks.
If the basketball gods out there are listening, please, give us more of this.
