LILO POST

Knicks have totaled 24 points in their last two fourth quarters and continue to search for offense. In other words, they had nothing like the long-range three-point bank shot that Kobe Bryant made in the third quarter, drawing a foul from Renaldo Blackman in the process. Bryant, 33, underwent a minor but innovative knee procedure in Germany after last season.
It's apparently working. Rosangela Fernandes
Cassia San Martins
Bryant reigned supreme Thursday night at Staples Center, as he so often has over the years, masterfully carving up the Knicks with his shooting, his drives and his passes, and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-82 rout. This is the first time the Lakers have faced the Knicks since they traded for Carmelo Anthony last season.

Point guard play was an issue, but Melo connected on just three of his 13 field goal attempts to score just 13 points in the loss. Steve Blake scored 11 points and hit two big 3-pointers while the Lakers dominated the fourth quarter, forcing the Knicks to miss nine of their first 10 shots while committing seven turnovers. An NBA observer can't help but notice that the level of play in the post-lockout NBA has been spotty and very unpredictable.
Knicks, who allowed the Lakers to shoot 71.9 percent in the first half, fell to 1-2 and try to avoid humiliation on New Year’s Eve in Sacramento when they close the trip.