Lakers Try to End Four-Game Trip on a Winning Note Today

Now that their nine-game winning streak is over, the Lakers are turning their thoughts toward finishing their four-game trip with a victory and beginning another streak.

The Lakers, who have won two of the three games so far, play the New York Knicks today (Channel 2, 9 a.m. PST).

“If we go 3-1 on this trip, I’m very satisfied,” Laker Coach Pat Riley said.

Before being upset, 122-113, Friday night at Indianapolis, the Lakers had visions of a road sweep. That would have meant they could have carried an 11-game winning streak home with them if they beat the Knicks, who, like the Pacers and the Kings, are last in their division.

Riley said that losing to the Pacers has given the Lakers something to think about.

“It might have shaken us up a little bit,” he said.

James Worthy said he didn’t feel that the law of averages finally caught up with the Lakers in Indiana.

“When you win a lot of games in a row, you might always think that it’s going to end sometime,” he said. “But I don’t think we had that on our mind.

“All we can do now is start another winning streak.”

Despite the loss, the Lakers (40-17) maintained their 13-game lead over Phoenix in the Pacific Division.

With Bernard King scoring 35 points, New York (19-37) defeated the Hawks Friday night at Atlanta, but they still trail Atlantic Division-leading Boston by 25 1/2 games.