Lakers vs. Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant are invading Madison Square Garden, but with "Linsanity" running wild, New York Knicks fans could care less about that.

The 11-15 Knicks, led by sudden star point guard Jeremy Lin, will host the 15-11 Lakers on Friday night in one of the highest-profile games of the season to this point. Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire won't be in the lineup for New York, but with three consecutive spectacular games, Lin is foremost in the minds of most basketball fans.

Make no mistake, though, as the Lakers are still a major draw. Even with a nagging wrist injury, Bryant is having one of his best seasons in recent years, as he is dropping over 29 points per contest. The Lakers haven't quite lived up to expectations this season, however, so Friday night's game will be a big one for them.

New York has rebounded nicely, with three straight wins after a major slide, and the Knicks would love to keep the momentum moving forward. With Carmelo out, though, it will be up to Tyson Chandler and the upstart Lin to lead New York to victory.

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

When: Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Listen: KSPN 710 AM (Los Angeles) and WEPN 1050 AM (New York)

Betting Line: Lakers (-3.5)

Lakers Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

No Injuries to Report

Knicks Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: PG Baron Davis (back), SF Carmelo Anthony (groin), C Josh Harrellson (wrist)

What They're Saying

After three consecutive great games, Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin is suddenly the talk of the league. Normally, with the Lakers coming to town, Kobe Bryant would be the big story. That isn't case, though, as Lin is still learning how to handle all the attention, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post:

"

Things are changing so much. Everyone wants to talk to me and my family. We’re very low-key people and private people and so sometimes it’s a little tough.

Yeah (things have been overwhelming). But when I get on the court and play with our team, none of us are thinking about all the other stuff going on. It’s just basketball to us.

"

Most Important Player to Watch: PG Jeremy Lin

It's almost preposterous to think that Kobe Bryant isn't the most important player in a game he's competing in, but it's tough to argue with what Jeremy Lin has accomplished to this point. In three games since taking over for the ineffective tandem of Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby at point guard, Lin is averaging 25 points and eight assists per game.

He has, in effect, single-handedly taken the New York offense from a stagnant mess to a well-oiled machine. Lin is actually running head coach Mike D'Antoni's offense as well as Steve Nash did in Phoenix. Granted, it has only been three games, but Lin hasn't showed any signs of slowing down, and a game against the Lakers will be a great litmus test.

Key Matchup: Andrew Bynum/Pau Gasol vs. Tyson Chandler

Most of the attention may be paid to Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant in this game, but the tilt will likely be decided in the trenches. Both the Lakers and Knicks have formidable frontcourts that can match up with anyone in the league. The Lakers' Andrew Bynum and the Knicks' Tyson Chandler are both All-Stars, while power forwards Pau Gasol and Amar'e Stoudemire barely missed out on those honors. Unfortunately for New York, Stoudemire will miss the game as he mourns the death of his brother.

The Lakers' bigs have been a bit more effective, as they average a combined 34 points and 22 rebounds per game as opposed to 30 points and 18 rebounds for Chandler and Stoudemire, but it's almost like splitting hairs. Chandler will have to carry most of the load on the interior for New York in this game, but he become a great offensive contributor with Lin at the point in addition to his solid defense. If The Knicks' bigs can cancel out the Lakers', then I would call it an advantage for New York.

Prediction

Knicks 93, Lakers 90