LOS ANGELES — It was fun in the sun Sunday while it lasted.
The Knicks arrived to glorious Los Angeles weather and looked invigorated early — dashing to a 45-29 lead after one quarter. The 45 points tied the 1978 franchise record for most points an opening quarter.
The Knicks shot 19 of 25 from the field in the quarter, but the Clippers flipped the switch in the second period and outscored the Knicks 47-24 and hung on for a 135-132 victory in a Staples Center shootout.
Marcus Morris, who is said to have drawn interest from the Clippers, kept the Knicks in it in the fourth quarter and finished with a season-high 38 points.