UNDATED (AP) - After a busy night of play last night, there are just three games in the NBA Thursday evening.

One of the all-time rivalries in the league resumes tonight as the Lakers invade Madison Square Garden for a game with the Knicks. The game also marks the return of Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni to New York since his resignation as Knicks coach last March.

The Lakers enter the game riding a three-game losing streak while the Knicks are fresh of a win Tuesday in Brooklyn over the Nets.

By the way you can look for a big night from Kobe Bryant as he has averaged 34.6 points a game at the Garden since the beginning of the 1999-2000 season. That's his best on any opponent's floor.

In Atlanta, the Hawks are playing host this evening to the Bobcats. After a slow start, with wins in just 3 of their first seven games, the Hawks have rattled off wins in 10 of their last 12 outings. The Bobcats on the other hand have lost their last nine games along with the first two games against the Hawks this season.

The final game of the evening is being played in Portland where the Blazers entertain the Spurs.  San Antonio comes in with wins in 18 of their 23 games this season. They had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Jazz last night. The Blazers are in last place in the Northwest Division with a record of 9-12. They've dropped 6 of their last 8.

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