Apparently, that was just the case across the Hudson as the laughingstock Knicks fought back from 16 down in the first half to defeat the Nets 111-105 at East Rutherford tonight. Apparently, defense wasn’t an alternative for either team.

So, the question is this. Should the Nets be embarrassed that they can’t seem to find the right formula to get the better of the Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 team which suddenly has put together a “winning streak???”

At least Lawrence Frank’s Jekyll & Hyde club has one more crack at these Knicks in two months at 33rd and Seventh Avenue on my Dad’s birthday. Maybe it will treat Jason Kidd and Co. better.

Are the Knicks suddenly to be taken seriously having reeled off three straight and gotten to three actual road victories- all mind you without injured star Stephon Marbury???

I don’t really have an answer. At 12-26 through 38 games, Lord Isiah’s team still has much work to do to undo the dreadful first half which has them only better than former coach Pat Riley’s Old and Older Heat (destroyed at home by the abominable Bulls 126-96). For some reason, that seems fitting considering it’s Florida. Just think. Half his roster can get up just in time for that early bird special!

Might explain their latest despicable result dropping their 11th straight to de-prove to 8-29. Maybe that’s why Shaq had that stunned look on his face tonight. Only the rebuilding T-Wolves boast a worse record. At 5-32 they’re just three out of 29th! Now that’s worth playing for. 

Back to the Knicks for a minute. Even with their third consecutive win, they still trail the Nets by a full seven games for the eighth spot. So before Clueless Jim Dolan pops the cork and gets ready to extend his prized executive through the next decade, he might want to pause first. Kind of like how he does during those rare but only exclusive to MSG Network interviews where the leader of a second rate jazz band invents new words in the English language. Apparently, Introduction to Public Speaking 101 wasn’t required for the Garden CEO.

So, what can Knick fans take from their team’s latest victory without cursing up a storm wondering why they can’t just lose every single game?

1.Jamal Crawford continues to (with help from the one and only Walt Frazier) perculate- following a 29-point effort over the Wizards with a season-high 35 shooting the lights out (11-of-20 FG) including connecting on six treys with a big one in crunch time. The enigmatic 27 year-old guard made it two straight games with six three’s and also was seven-for-eight at the charity stripe. Oh. And did we mention he also handed out a team best eight assists on a night the Knicks as a team had an un-Knick like 24.

2.Zach Randolph torched the Nets for a double double (24 and 11) shooting 8-of-15 from the field while draining all eight free throws. Mr. Headband even had time to distribute the ball with four assists forcing Nets’ brass to request a league investigation. He also finished plus-23 but that’s without adjusted stats- a John Giagnorio specialty.

3.Even Eddy Curry got up enough to pull down five rebounds to go along with his 17 (six-of-eight FG).

4.Sixth man Nate Robinson again came off the bench for Thomas and contributed finishing with 13 points, four boards, four assists, two steals along with a plus-19 rating.

5.In 11+ minutes, energizer Renaldo Balkman was plus-six with two rebounds and a bucket.

So, what went wrong for the Nets who suddenly have dropped three in succession after leading the Celts thru 36 before collapsing last Friday?

1.After outscoring the Knicks 33-18 during the first 12 minutes, they somehow managed to be outscored 68-45 over the next 24 turning a big first qtr lead into a hole which they couldn’t climb out of. That won’t win on many nights. Especially in this league. Is it a lack of motivation for Frank’s club? Or maybe it’s just a lack of killer instinct.

2.Kidd handed out 17 assists but also was just four-of-nine for 10 points turning the ball over four times and totaling only two rebounds. When he doesn’t show up in that final category, it’s usually a bad sign for his team.

3.Rookie big man Sean Williams finished with 16 points but half came in the first 120 seconds meaning the former BC product didn’t make enough of a dent against the Knick frontline. He also picked up five fouls in 20+ minutes swatting just one shot.

4.While Vince Carter spread out the stat sheet with 26, 8 and 7, third option Richard Jefferson took a collar in assists and turned it over four times. He did finish with 22 but it wasn’t the most productive.

5.The Nets bench was outscored 23-13 by the Knicks with long distance shooter Bostjan Nachbar getting nine of those points and finishing minus-14. Robinson had as many points as the entire Net bench. How can you expect to win a game when you get virtually zilch from your second unit?

It’s really hard to figure out the Nets. Up till recently, they had gotten it turned around and were even over .500. Now, they’re back to 18-20 continuing to baffle many. There’s certainly enough talent for them to compete in the East. And with Williams developing and second-year center Josh Boone (18 pts on 7-of-11 FG, 12 rebs incl six off), you can’t say they don’t have inside threats.

Clearly, this team is underachieving under Frank. Does the axe fall soon? Possibly. Fact is they’re 0-for-3 against the Knicks. Maybe their act belongs in the circus.

You know what they say. Misery loves company.