The Clippers, featuring a tall and talented front court that included Michael Olowakandi, Elton Brand, and Darius Miles, dominated the Knicks in the paint and handed them a convincing 99-86 defeat. The Knicks remain winless on the road and falls to three games below .500.

The Knicks started the game playing well. Despite ominous words, Van Gundy kept the starting lineup intact for now. Both Houston and Jackson started the game and seemed to play with more energy and intensity, particularly on the defensive end.

The Clippers established its dominance in the paint early, making a blocking party out of the many Knick shots thrown up in the paint. The game was competitive early with the Clippers taking a one point edge at the end of the quarter.

The good defense continued for the Clippers in the second, confusing the Knicks on the offensive end. Knicks tried hard, but couldn't slow down the Clippers on defense. Clippers jumped out to a 10 point lead at the half.

For the second night in a row, the Knicks staged a come-back run in the third quarter. New York came out scorching in the field and reclaimed the lead behind Houston and Sprewell. The Knicks even had a four-point play during this run in which Houston hit a three pointer and Thomas was awarded with a free throw for being fouled at the same time.

But as the story line has so often gone for the Knicks, they fell apart after they had taken the lead and let the Clippers re-establish their dominance. Los Angeles never relented after that, running up the total to the end of the game to a 13-point victory.

With 11 games into the season, it is no longer a bad start. It is turning into a bad season for the New York Knickerbockers. Right now those fateful ping pong balls seem more foreseeable in the Knicks' future than any success in the playoffs. And after next Saturday when Camby is scheduled to return, the Knicks would have no more excuses for it either.

Please give feedback to our writers by rating this article: