The west coast has not been kind to the New York Knicks. Kobe Bryant's efficient 28 points led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-82 win over the Knicks on Thursday night at Staples Center. For the second straight night the Knicks, who lost on Wednesday to the Golden State Warriors, looked out of sync offensively. New York shot just 31 percent from the field.
The Knicks, who fell to 1-2 on the season, trailed by 12 points entering halftime after surrendering 63 points. The closest they got to the Lakers was eight points, when Steve Novak's three point shot cut the deficit to 80-72 entering the fourth quarter. But the Knicks opened the final frame by committing five turnovers while Los Angeles hit a barrage from behind the arc to blow the game open.
For the Knicks, Amare Stoudemire struggled for the second time in as many nights. Stoudemire made just four of his 17 field goal attempts, finishing with 15 points and just two rebounds. Tyson Chandler had his best statistical game as a Knick so far, finishing with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knicks have a night off before finishing up their three-game western swing on Saturday when they visit the Sacramento Kings.