It started Nov. 6 in Minnesota. Latrell Sprewell, an 84 percent foul shooter at the time, missed his first four free throws and wound up 4 for 10 from the line. Sprewell said afterward that he was not worried about the performance, that he would shake it off and move on.

But he has not.

Since hitting 16 of 19 free throws through the Knicks' first three games, Sprewell's trips to the line have been adventures. He went into last night's game against Detroit shooting 64.8 percent (35 for 54) in the past 13 games.