Latrell Sprewell grabbed the rebound of his errant 37-foot heave and slammed the ball off the court in disgust. He was angry because the lesson the Knicks were supposed to learn in victory would have to be gained, if at all, in defeat.

After 35 minutes of playing so well it could have signified their return to Eastern Conference contention, the Knicks collapsed in familiar and sad fashion, losing to the Detroit Pistons, 100-97, last night at Madison Square Garden.