LOS ANGELES — The Knicks let another winnable game get away from them because they didn’t play defense.
Facing a Lakers’ team without two starters, the Knicks played with no resistance or effort on the defensive end. The Lakers scored at least 30 points in each quarter and handed the Knicks an embarrassing 127-107 loss Sunday at Staples Center.
This was an opportunity for the Knicks (21-26) to go 3-1 on their seven-game road swing. But they let the Lakers get whatever shot they wanted.
The Lakers (17-29) shot 56 percent from the field (51-for-91). They scored 60 points in the paint and held a 10-point advantage on second-chance points.