A competitive game seemed unlikely after the L.A. Lakers spotted the N.Y. Knicks 10 points to begin the game, leading to a 25 point deficit midway through the second quarter, at Madison Square Gardens in Manhattan on Tuesday night. LeBron James was serving a one-game suspension for striking Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the face in their match-up on Sunday. With James absent, Russell Westbrook took charge for the Lakers scoring a team-high 31 points in 37 minutes; his stats include 10–18 from the floor, 3–6 from threes, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Anthony Davis was ill and questionable for the game. He was able to play 34 minutes; scoring 20 points, with 7–17 shooting, 1–2 from three-pointers, six rebounds, and three assists. “So I definitely think that he was a little bit drained and we used him differently,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “We tried to keep him in seven-minute …