With a 99-82 loss in Los Angeles, the Knicks have now dropped nine straight games to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant, who said he enjoys his rivalry with Carmelo Anthony because he always wins, had 28 points but didn't key the fourth-quarter surge that blew the game open. Pau Gasol had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony had 27 as he couldn't prevent the Knicks from falling to 1-2. Amar'e Stoudemire had 14 points. "The Lakers were good, and we're awful," Mike D'Antoni said. That's the second straight game the head coach has used that adjective. The Knicks play the Kings next.

They didn't finish their comeback against the Magic, but the Nets, who fell 94-78
, did get a look at Dwight Howard. He had 16 points and 24 (!) rebounds in the win. The Nets, behind 17 points from MarShon Brooks, cut the Orlando lead to seven before falling. Brooks did not play until late in the second quarter. Maybe he should play more?

John Tavares scored a goal and had an assist as the Islanders snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Flames. Andrew MacDonald had the first goal before Tavares broke a 1-1 tie, and Brian Rolston added an empty-netter.