Blake Griffin had a career-high 44 points and was close to a triple-double with 15 boards and seven assists, but LA lost to the Knicks 124-115 at Staples Center.

(photo by AP)

Eric Gordon scored 25 in the loss for the Clippers – who are now 1-13 – and Randy Foye was the only other teammate who had more than nine points – finishing with 14.

Amar’e Stoudamire (39) and Danilo Gallinari (31) led the Knicks in scoring and Stoudamire added 11 rebounds. Raymond Felton scored 20 while Toney Douglas had 12 and Wilson Chandler added 10.

The Clippers shot 54% from the floor, 75% from the free throw line and 46% from the three point line – bettering the Knicks in the first of the three categories.

One of the differences in the game was the free throw shooting. New York went 43-51 from the line and LA shot only 29 and made 22 of them.