A Day Off in the Big Apple

Proud owners of a four-game winning streak and a .500 record, the Lakers rested Wednesday when Coach Phil Jackson gave them the day off before tonight’s final game of this trip, against the New York Knicks.

The Knicks missed the playoffs last season, traded for Antonio McDyess, saw him blow out a knee in the exhibition season, and started 2-10 under Coach Don Chaney, who went 20-43 last season after replacing Jeff Van Gundy.

However, the Knicks have rebounded since then, going 19-16 as Latrell Sprewell, who had suffered a hand injury, rejoined the team. Since Christmas, they’re 9-3 at home.

The Lakers have been hunting bigger game recently. Once a 5-15 road team, they have just won at Phoenix, Sacramento and Indiana, where their hosts were a combined 59-8.

*

TONIGHT

at New York, 4:30 PST, Channel 9, TNT

Site -- Madison Square Garden.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Lakers 23-23, Knicks 21-26.

Record vs. Knicks (2001-2002) -- 2-0.

Update -- After this, the Lakers’ schedule eases, as they come out of the All-Star break with 11 of their first 14 games at home.

-- Mark Heisler