The Knicks came to the Crypt on Monday, with tricky players to guard in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. They're a playoff caliber team. They play hard, especially in front of Spike Lee. But given the schedule the Lakers are facing, this was one they needed to win.

And as it was early in the season, they fell behind, fought back, and couldn't maintain momentum. End result? A 114-109 loss.

Anthony Davis did his job, and Austin Reaves continues to play well (though Reaves was not terribly efficient on Monday). LeBron James went for a triple double, and overall has played very well... but while the peripheral numbers are still good (he has 25 assists in his last two games) his efficiency is down in December. And there is a huge difference in the Lakers offense when James is shooting in the mid-50s, and when he's down in the mid-40s (this month, he's been under 50% in all but two games). Someone else (not AD, he's doing enough) needs to pick up the slack, and with D'Angelo Russell struggling this month, that pop has been hard to find.

The Lakers have a few too many non-factors offensively in the lineup. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura still finds extended playing time hard to come by.

What might need to happen in order to change that? And are the Lakers in really bad shape? Do they need an overhaul, or more subtle shifts to bring everything into alignment?

They need to figure it out pretty quick, if the Lakers want to stay above .500 over a brutal stretch of schedule coming up.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose to New York. What's up, here?

SEGMENT 2: Too much Taurean Prince on Monday?

SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers need big fixes or smaller adjustments?

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