Lakers vs. Knicks
Nov 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) makes a move to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant (24) and Los Angeles Lakers power forward Julius Randle (30) during the 4th qtr at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 99-95. Reuters/Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

In a battle between two proud but struggling franchises, Carmelo Anthony’s New York Knicks defeated Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, 99-95 Sunday night. The Knicks notched their third victory in seven games while the Lakers dropped their fifth game in six outings so far in the 2015-2016 NBA Season.

Anthony outduelled Bryant too, scoring 24 points better than his counterpart’s 18 points. Bryant continued his bad shooting this season, making just 6-of-19 field goals including missing 8-of-10 shots from behind the arc. The Knicks got a huge lift from their starters, with four of five ending up in double-figure scoring.

Rookie Kristaps Porzingis had another respectable outing with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds with 2 blocked shots and center Robin Lopez also posted his own double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Off the bench, Langston Galloway had 14 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the three-point area.

Like Bryant, most of the Lakers struggled in this one, shooting 38.3 percent from the field (36-of-94 FGs), 33.3 percent from the three-point line (9-of-27 3FGs) and 60.9 percent from the free throw line (14-of-23 FTs) as a team.

The Lakers had the halftime lead, 49-45 and had the 90-89 lead with under three minutes to go in the game but couldn't capitalize on their chances in the end game.

Center Roy Hibbert posted his second double-double of the year with a season-high 18 points plus 10 rebounds with 2 blocked shots. Jordan Clarkson added 10 points and Nick Young also had 10 points off the bench.

The Lakers opened the season with four straight losses and will continue a five-game road trip with games versus the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks in their next three outings. The Knicks snapped a three-game losing skid and will aim for their first back-to-back wins of the season against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday.