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Lakers' Visit To Garden Not FruitfulKnicks Knock Out Defending ChampsNEW YORK, Updated 3:27 p.m. PST January 28, 2001 -- The Los Angeles Lakers apparently thought they would waltz into Madison Square Garden and emerge with another victory over the New York Knicks. They left with their heads spinning. Playing without big men Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas, the Knicks got a combined 61 points from Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell and posted a 91-81 triumph over the Lakers, who were not without their own distractions. Lakers superstar center Shaquille O'Neal opted at the last second to sit out with a sore right foot. His decision came hours after the team fined reserve guard Isaiah Rider an undisclosed amount for missing the flight to New York. Factor in the lingering feud between O'Neal and fellow All-Star starter Kobe Bryant and a January spent mostly in Los Angeles, and it was little wonder the Lakers started slowly in the nationally televised game. New York closed the first quarter with a 15-2 run to open a 33-19 lead. Houston, Sprewell and Larry Johnson had 3-pointers during the stretch, and the Knicks were never headed. The win snapped New York's season-high three-game losing streak and was its first against the Lakers since March 1, 1998. Bryant scored 33 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped all three road games this month. The Lakers had a three-game winning streak against the Knicks snapped.
Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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