Below are five things to take from Lakers’ 127-96 victory Tuesday over New York Knicks at Staples Center:


1. The Lakers played as if they are competing for the playoffs. The Lakers’ two-game winning streak may bring some positive energy in the locker room. The victory may have hurt the postseason fortunes for the Knicks (29-42), which are 3 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Hawks (31-38) for the Eastern Conference’s eight playoff spot. But this surprising success creates a negative cloud surrounding the Lakers’ NBA lottery chances. The Lakers (24-46) have a two-game lead over the Utah Jazz (23-48) for the NBA’s fifth worst record. That gives the Lakers a 8.8 percent chance of winning the lottery, as opposed to a 11.9 percent chance if they finish fourth.

2. The Lakers actually played defense. No this is not a misprint. The Lakers actually stopped an opponent. Yes, Carmelo Anthony’s 29 points came on a 10 of 21 clip, including missing his first six shots. Yes, the Lakers held New York to an atrocious 26.7 percent from three-point range. Yes, the Lakers outrebounded the Knicks, 38-32. Yes, the Lakers limited the Knicks in fast-break points (nine).

The Lakers may have faced an addition-by-subtraction scenario where Pau Gasol’s absence because of vertigo thrust Chris Kaman and Jordan Hill into elevated defensive roles. The Knicks also appear dysfunctional. But the Lakers’ hustle coupled with consistent ball movement that ensured five players reaching double figures and a franchise record 51 points contributed to the team suddenly finding a defensive identity.
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The sarcasm poured out of Chris Kaman’s mouth as he prepared for an unexpected start in the Lakers’ game tonight against the New York Knicks at Staples Center after spending most of the season sitting on the bench.

“I’m thrilled!” Kaman said. “I’m enthralled! I’m ready to go!”

Not quite.

Kaman has sat out the past 10 games partly because he has a sore right foot and mostly because he has fallen out of Mike D’Antoni’s rotation. Kaman also missed time despite Jordan Hill skipping six games this month because of a hyperextended right knee and Pau Gasol leaving the second half of the Lakers’ win Sunday over Orlando because of vertigo.

D’Antoni’s rationale for Kaman’s lack of playing time remains two fold. He typically wants to feature a post player with a so-called stretch forward to maximize floor spacing and outside shooting. D’Antoni has also cited Hill and Robert Sacre as better defenders than Kaman.

“Either it’s very short minutes for him, or he starts, and he’s a much better starter,” D’Antoni said. “It wasn’t even his fault. It’s just the way it works out.”

Kaman’s unexpected lack of playing time, the Lakers’ injury-riddled roster and the persistent losing all contributed to what he considered his most frustrating season in his 10-year career.

“By far,” Kaman said. “Ten fold.”
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Chris Kaman will make his return to court for the Lakers and he isn’t even injured. Kaman, whose time on the court has ranged from starting to not playing a minute, will fill in for Pau Gasol against the Knicks, who is listed as doubtful with vertigo.

These will be the first meaningful minutes for the center in 12 games, seeing as he has only played four minutes combined in those dozen games. Kaman has currently gone 10-straight games without playing a single minute, which is the longest stretch this season for him. Prior to the playing time drought, Kaman was averaging 23.7 minutes in a 10-game stretch.

But that hot and cold situation with Kaman’s minutes does not worry D’ Antoni and his center’s ability to contribute after a long lull.

“I’ve always had confidence in him,” said D’ Antoni. “I think he’s played well, but obviously that position is a little weird and Jordan Hill you want to get him a lot of time. So it’s either very short minutes for him or he starts, and he’s a much better starter.

“It’s not his fault, it’s just the way it works out.”

Kaman declined to speak with media after the morning shoot around.

During Lakers’ shoot around, head coach Mark D’ Antoni told the media that center Pau Gasol and point guard Steve Nash would be listed as doubtful for tonight’s contest against the Knicks.

Gasol experienced vertigo and nausea during Sunday’s game against Orlando and did not play the second half. Nash (back) was initially thought to be lost for the season, but made a return Friday against the Wizards, playing 19 minutes. He scored five points and dished 11 assists.

Nash will try to give it a go before the start of tonight’s game at the Staples Center, while Gasol will be evaluated today.

“He has an appointment (today),” said D’ Antoni of Gasol. “But I think he is doubtful.”

D’Antoni also added that he had not spoken with Gasol, but that he heard he was feeling a little bit better. He was not present at the shoot around.

But someone who will be taking the court against the Knicks is Xavier Henry, who suffered a torn ligament in his left wrist in that loss to the Washington Wizards. Henry is part of the backup point guard by committee (along with Kent Bazemore) behind Kendall Marshall.

D’ Antoni said he didn’t know if Henry would play well, but that he would be playing.