NEW YORK _ Early in the game, the Knicks' "highlights" included a brick thrown up by Kevin Knox, an airball on a drive into the lane by Henry Ellenson and a jumper by Lance Thomas that caromed off the side of the backboard.
And they were winning.
That may tell you all you need to know about the battle of who could care less at Madison Square Garden between the Knicks and Cavaliers. The Knicks led by 11 in the fourth quarter before they lost _ or won, depending on whether you're looking at Thursday night's score or the Ping-Pong balls for the NBA draft lottery.
With a 125-118 loss, the Knicks solidified their hold on the second-worst record in the NBA, keeping the Cavs in the third spot, both trailing the Suns for the worst record.
While the three worst teams have the same 14-percent shot at the top pick, there is the danger of dropping further back. The Knicks insist they aren't counting, but they had won three of four games before this loss dropped them to 13-49.
"They told me develop these guys, play to win every single night, and that's what I preach to them and that's what they expect out of me," coach David Fizdale said after Thursday's practice.
"We went on a losing streak and couldn't win a game. And now the fruits of our labor are starting to show a little bit and we've had a little bit of success, but it doesn't change our approach to anything when it comes to lottery and things like that. We're just trying to win every game."
That was hard to tell down the stretch. The Knicks still led until Jordan Clarkson converted two free throws with 1:29 remaining, and the Cavs kept possession because it was called a clear path foul. Clarkson hit an open 3-pointer with 1:21 left to push Cleveland up by four.
The Knicks then put on another odd display after Ellenson elbowed Ante Zizic while fighting for a rebound. With Zizic on the floor, the Knicks had a five-on-four advantage but they misfired twice on quick shots, a fitting ending because they didn't make a field goal in the final 3:50. The Cavs scored 12 straight points to turn a 115-109 deficit into a 121-115 lead.
Player development has been the mantra for the Knicks since the preseason, and they have given extensive playing time to all three of their rookies _ Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier. That has come at the expense of players who certainly could have provided a more consistent win-now formula, but the Knicks took their playing time and then waived or traded as many as they could.
"The growth, if we could say what we've seen up to this point, if we would have known that at the beginning of the year, I think we would have taken it," Fizdale said. "With what Zo has done, what Kevin has done and what Mitchell has done _ all three guys have shown great promise."
The results have been mixed. Robinson has emerged as the most consistent of the trio _ posting back-to-back double-doubles heading into this game, each with at least five blocked shots. Trier, after a long stretch of struggles, led the Knicks with 19 points off the bench against the Cavs.
Knox has been an enigma, the lottery pick who shows great potential. But at 19 years old he has been prone to ups and downs. After a 3-for-16 shooting night Tuesday, he scored eight points Thursday and shot 3-for-12.
"I want him to stay aggressive," Fizdale said. "I like that shot total. As long as he's staying aggressive, I'm OK with it."
