Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks

What does he do for an encore?

In a season that ended with the highest distinction, winning the NBA title, probably the personal highlight of Kobe Bryant’s 2008-09 season was sticking a big 6-1 on the New York Knicks (3-9). He will try for an encore when the Kobe and his Lakers (9-3) battle the Knicks in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Bryants 61 point output was on the road in Madison Square Garden in a 126-119 win on February 2. He made 19 of his 31 shots and sunk all 20 of his free throw attempts, which set a record at the venerable MSG.

That game marked the fourth straight victory of Los Angeles over New York.

While Bryant would love to duplicate that performance, he most likely will not have to because Pau Gasol is back from an injury. Tuesday’s game will be his third straight game back after posting 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday and then he added 15 points in a 101-85 victory over Oklahoma City on Sunday.

The Knicks have been improving lately and were very close to upsetting the Boston Celtics on Sunday, losing 107-105 in overtime at home. The loss snapped New York’s first two-game winning streak of the season, though those games came against lowly Indiana and winless New Jersey.

Al Harrington scored 30 in the losing effort while David Lee supported him with 22 points and 15 boards.

New York’s defense has helped them to another poor start, allowing 107.9 points through their first 12 games against a high octane Los Angeles offense.

The New York Knicks hate playing at the Staples Center, posting a 3-17 record there all time against the Lakers and the Clippers, though interestingly their three wins have all come against the Staples Center more successful and prestigious tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers.

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