from nba.com...
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks hope a visit to the Staples Center can help stop their road losing streak on Sunday when they continue a four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Knicks have lost all five of their games on the road this season and nine in a row dating to April 1 of last season, when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in this building.
New York opened its road trip with a 109-83 loss at New Jersey on Friday as it was outrebounded, outhustled and pounded in the paint.
The Knicks trailed by 23 at halftime, but rebounded with a spectacular third quarter before scoring just 12 points in the fourth.
Latrell Sprewell led New York with 25 points but was held scoreless in the final period. and Allan Houston managed just 11.
The Knicks, who allowed 100 points just nine times last season, have permitted opponents to reach the century mark three times already this year.
"We have no idea what it takes for our team to win," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "There are a bunch of hard decisions coming for our team. We just can't stand by and play bad defense. To get good defense, you have to care about it. We can and will defend."
Los Angeles had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 94-85 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Corey Maggette scored a career-high 28 points and Elton Brand collected 22 and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 54 seconds left. The Clippers had their four-game home winning streak stopped and fell to 2-1 on a season-high six-game homestand.
Lamar Odom, who was suspended on November 5 for violating the league's anti-drug policy, could return on Sunday. He has been cleared to play, but is suffering from an injured foot. Los Angeles was 4-2 without him.
The teams split last year's season series, but the Knicks have won seven of the last nine meetings and 24 of the past 29.
The Clippers have won the last two meetings here after losing five straight visits by New York.