The Los Angeles Lakers look for their fourth straight win tonight as they host the New York Knicks at Staples Center. The Lakers have beaten the Knicks six straight times, including three straight at Staples Center. The Knicks, with former Suns Amar'e Stoudemire and coach Mike D`Antoni reuniting in New York, have enjoyed a resurgent season so far.
It has been seven seasons since New York made the playoffs, and it has been 10 seasons since they finished with a winning record. This year, the Knicks are 21-14 and currently occupy the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and are just two losses out of the third seed. The Knicks, like the Lakers, have won their last three contests. Here is a look at the probable starting lineups for tonight's game:
Knicks
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Point Guard: Raymond Felton
- Shooting Guard: Toney Douglas
- Small Forward: Landry Fields
- Power Forward: Wilson Chandler
- Center: Amar'e Stoudemire
Danilo Gallinari, who has missed the last two games, is out again tonight with a sprained left knee. He is expected to miss two to three weeks.
Lakers
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Point Guard: Derek Fisher
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Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
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Small Forward: Ron Artest
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Power Forward: Pau Gasol
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Center: Andrew Bynum
Matt Barnes is out up to eight weeks with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, an injury suffered Friday night against the Hornets. Steve Blake, who was limited to 12 minutes Friday night, is listed as probable with a sprained left ankle. Odom (sore left shoulder) and Bynum (right knee soreness) are also listed as probable, but both are expected to play.
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