Western Conference Recaps, March 12: The New York Knicks Snapped Three-Game Losing Streak With A Victory Against Los Angeles Lakers

The New York Knicks almost lost a fourth straight game.

The Los Angeles Lakers scored eight straight points late in the fourth quarter to cut the New York Knicks 10-point lead to two but Josh Hart made two free throws to secure a 112-108 victory.

While Jalen Brunson was sidelined for a second straight game with a foot injury, Julius Randle scored 33 points to lead the Knicks. RJ Barrett had 30 points and Immanuel Quickley had 15.

“We did enough to win, and the tone was set at the beginning by Julius,” New York coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It gave us the confidence that, you know, ‘We’re here.’ ... We have a very young team, so when you have a young team and Julius is just going into his prime, the only way they’re going to get better is by working. If they’re not working, they’re not going to get better."

D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with a career-high 33 points while Anthony Davis had 17 points and 16 rebounds.

NEXT KNICKS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 22 at Miami

OTHER NOTES:

-The New Orleans Pelicans rode Trey Murphy’s huge night to grab a 127-110 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Murphy scored a career-high 41 points while hitting a career-high nine 3-pointers. He recorded 25 of those points and five of the 3-pointers in the first half.

With Damian Lillard sidelined due to calf tightness, Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 17 points.

-The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting closer to the play-in tournament. Rookie Jalen Williams’ 21 points and 10 assists led them to a 102-90 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. Josh Giddey had 15 points and 11 rebounds while Ousmane Dieng had 17 points off the bench.

Zach Collins led the Spurs with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.