By Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau
NEW YORK (Eagle News) — Round one of the Kristaps Porzingis-Lonzo Ball showdown ended in dramatic fashion where the “unicorn” outdueled the “big baller,” as the New York Knicks pulled a nail biting 113-109 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden.
It was a back and forth battle throughout until the Knicks gained momentum late in the fourth when Frank Ntilikina buried a three and Porzingis made a 10-foot jumper to extend their lead to five with 2:04 left to play.
Ball committed a turnover with 1:29 left, which looked to have sealed the game for the Knicks but Porzingis missed three consecutive shots. The Lakers took advantage on a tip in from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma delivered a three pointer with 23 seconds left to tie the game at 99 to send the game to overtime.
Porzingis’ 37 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks performance carried out the Knicks to victory, but heroes of the night were Ntilikina and Michael Beasley. Coming off the bench, Beasley scored 13 points including two key baskets to give the Knicks the lead for good. Ntilikina also added 13 points, five assists and five rebounds and shut down Ball offensively in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“A lot of effort, big plays, just keeping our poise on the court, not being stressed, not being overrun by the moment,” said Ntilikina. “For a young team like this to play like that, it’s a huge step in our process.”
Ball finished the night with 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds for the Lakers, 10 coming in the third quarter in his Garden debut. Not bad for the rookie who endured boos from an energized crowd with his father, LaVar and Lithuania bound brothers LiAngelo and LaMelo sitting courtside.
“It was a lot of fun,” Ball said of his Madison Square Garden debut. “It’s my first time playing here. I heard the crowd the whole game [and] it was crazy. Would have been nice if we got the win but it was very eventful.”
Laker legend and owner Magic Johnson was courtside enjoying the game along with New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and former Knick and six-time All-Star Amare Stoudemire.
The Knicks will head to Barclays Center to take on crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets on Thursday before the return of Carmelo Anthony at the Garden when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit on Saturday.
(Eagle News Service)
