Opponent--New York Knicks.Site--Madison Square Garden, New York.Time--5.TV--Channel...

Opponent--New York Knicks.

Site--Madison Square Garden, New York.

Time--5.

TV--Channel 9, TNT.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 2-0, Knicks 2-0.

Record vs. Knicks--(1995-96) 1-1.

Laker update--This three-game Eastern swing, continuing to Charlotte and Toronto, begins a stretch during which the Lakers play seven of their next nine games on the road. In the next six games, Shaquille O’Neal will face Patrick Ewing tonight, Vlade Divac on Wednesday in what should be an emotional game for the former Laker center, Dikembe Mutombo on Sunday and Hakeem Olajuwon next Tuesday.

Knick update--The Knicks have defeated the Lakers in seven of the last eight meetings, but that doesn’t mean much in a season in which both teams have overhauled rosters. The Knicks have only five players back from last season and two newcomers in the starting lineup, Larry Johnson and Allan Houston. Charles Oakley makes his season debut tonight after being suspended the first two games for a scuffle with Charles Barkley during an exhibition game.