Kobe Bryant Leads Lakers Over Knicks At Madison Square Garden, 113-96

Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in just 29 minutes, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to an easy 113-96 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The win moved the Lakers to 4-0 on their seven-game Grammy road trip, and pushed their road record on the season to 19-8. Pau Gasol added 20 points and grabbed six boards for the Lakers, who improved to 9-1 on the second night of back-to-back games this season.

Bryant started out hot, scoring 19 points in the opening quarter. He hit seven of nine shots, including a jumper at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 30-28 lead after one. After that, it was all Lakers, who outscored New York 55-40 in the second and third periods. The Lakers shot 53.6% from the field and hit six of their 15 three-point attempts. The Knicks made just five of 20 three-pointers, and shot 41.2% for the game. Kobe has 200 points in his last five games at Madison Square Garden, all wins for the Lakers.

Amare Stoudemire led the Knicks with 24 points, and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Lakers travel to Orlando for a Sunday afternoon game against the Magic, then finish the road trip with games in Charlotte and Cleveland. At 4-0 so far, this seven-game road trip is looking very promising, and potentially a great way to head into the All-Star break.

For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers Vs. Knicks Game Score: Kobe Bryant On Fire With 23 Points, Lakers Up 62-48 At Halftime

Kobe Bryant got the Lakers started with 19 points in the first quarter, and Shannon Brown and the bench picked up where he left off in the second quarter, as the Los Angeles Lakers took a 62-48 lead over the New York Knicks at halftime at Madison Square Garden. Kobe added four more points in the second quarter, giving him 23 for the half, and 43 points in his last four quarters, dating back to Thursday.

Bryant already holds the Madison Square Garden scoring record, with a 61-point performance on February 2, 2009. He made seven of nine field goals for 19 points in the opening period, including a buzzer- beater to give the Lakers a 30-28 lead. Bryant also had eight rebounds in the first half. The Lakers outscored the Knicks 32-20 in the second quarter.

Shannon Brown added eight points off the bench for the Lakers, including two spectacular dunks. One, on an errant alley-oop pass from Steve Blake, was corralled with one hand and somehow finished with two hands by Brown. Raymond Felton led the Knicks with 16 points, including three makes from three-point range. The Knicks had 12 turnovers in the first half.

For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers Vs. Knicks: Kobe Bryant Has A History At Madison Square Garden

As the Los Angeles Lakers look for their eighth straight win over the New York Knicks tonight, the story just might be Kobe Bryant at Madison Square Garden. Kobe holds several records at the historic arena, including most points with 61 in a Lakers' win in 2009. Kobe and the Lakers are 9-3 in his 12 career games at MSG, and here are the arena records held by Bryant:

• Most points: 61, 2/2/09
• Most free throws made: 23, 1/31/06 (also a Lakers' franchise record)
• Most free throws made without a miss: 20, 2/2/09 (also second-most without a miss in NBA history, behind Dominique Wilkins' 23-23 performance in 1992)
• Most free throws attempted: 26, 1/31/06 (also also tied a Lakers' franchise record)

Kobe has scored 40 or more points three times at Madison Square Garden. In 10 career starts in the building, he is averaging 34.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists.

For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers Vs. Knicks: L.A. In Search Of Eighth Straight Win Against New York

The Los Angeles Lakers have started their road trip on a high note, winning the first three of their seven-game trek. They face a challenge tonight, on the second night of back-to-back games, facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers have beaten the Knicks seven straight times, and have beaten them three straight times in New York.

Here is a look at tonight's probable starting lineups and injury reports:

Lakers (37-16)

• Point Guard: Derek Fisher
• Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
• Small Forward: Ron Artest
• Power Forward: Pau Gasol
• Center: Andrew Bynum

Lamar Odom collided with Gasol in Thursday's win in Boston, and had to get eight stitches to close a gash on his forehead above his right eye after the game, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles.

Knicks (26-25)

• Point Guard: Raymond Felton
  
• Shooting Guard: Landry Fields
  
• Small Forward: Danilo Gallinari
  
• Power Forward: Amare Stoudemire
  
• Center: Timofey Mozgov
  

Former Laker Ronny Turiaf has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and is listed as questionable for tonight's contest.

For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Carmelo Anthony Rumors Converge As Lakers Battle Knicks At Madison Square Garden

One night after their biggest win of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers travel to New York to battle the Knicks, as the two teams rumored to be most interested in Carmelo Anthony face off at Madison Square Garden. Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half Thursday night in Boston, leading the Lakers to a 92-86 comeback win over the Celtics, the first win for the Lakers over a top-four team in the NBA this season. The Lakers look for a season sweep of Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks, who the Lakers defeated 109-87 at Staples Center on January 9.

Anthony has long been rumored to eventually end up with the Knicks, although the rumor of the week has been Carmelo to the Lakers. However, in reality, a deal with the Lakers doesn't seem feasible because: (a) the Lakers don't seem to want to part with Andrew Bynum; and (b) it seems the Nuggets are trying to use the Lakers to drive up the price for the Knicks. But none of that matters Friday night, as the Lakers attempt to win their fourth game in a row on their Grammy road trip.

The Lakers have beaten the Knicks seven straight times, including the win earlier this season. In addition, the Lakers have won three straight and are 7-3 in their last 10 games at Madison Square Garden. Two years ago, Kobe set a new MSG record with 61 points. A win for the Lakers tonight would give them identical records of 19-8 at both home and on the road. The Lakers are 8-1 in the second game of back-to-backs this season. The 5 p.m. PST game will be televised on both ESPN and KCAL.

For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.