The Lakers are starting to take control!
Both teams have had multiple players leave and join, resulting in some flaws in their tactical cooperation. The Knicks, playing at home, are slightly better prepared and have a clear purpose; they decided to focus on defense from the start. The Lakers began without O'Neal, so the Knicks started the game better than the Lakers.
But when it came to the rotation lineup, the Lakers kept three of their starting players, and the Lakers' play resolutely turned into a defense-first, star-centered offense, reversing the situation!
At the 10:33 mark, the Lakers tied the game at 17-17, with a 9-4 run, prompting the Knicks to call a timeout and bring in Oakley and Chales, alongside Starks, Ewing, and Alan Houston.
