The latest blow could be the most crucial with center Marcus Camby limping off the Conseco Fieldhouse court last week in a loss to Indiana. He missed the next two games, including Sunday's loss to Philadelphia as the Knicks dropped to 18-22 on the road this season.

The Camby loss could be huge if it extends into the postseason. Van Gundy last week called the 6-10 center "our best player this season.'' There's no question that he's the undersized Knicks' best frontline player when he's healthy.

Ironically, the injury to the fragile Camby came just as he was putting together his best stretch of ball this season -- 19.8 points, 16.2 rebounds in the previous five games.

The Knicks are already without Allan Houston (bruised thigh) and Larry Johnson (bad back) -- both are listed as day-to-day. Johnson missed his fourth straight game Sunday vs. Philly.

Personnel File

BRING 'EM ON: The Knicks lost the game to the Sixers on Sunday, but didn't shed any confidence that they could beat Philly if the teams meet in the postseason.

"I think we match up well with anybody," Latrell Sprewell said after his 26-point effort Sunday. "It's really about us, not who we're playing. ... I think it showed it will be a battle if we face them in the playoffs," Sprewell said.

The Knicks played without two starters, center Marcus Camby and power forward Larry Johnson who both were out with injuries.

"We feel we can beat this team," Glen Rice said. "We just have to make our shots."

The Sixers beat New York three out of four games, including a 29-point victory in Madison Square Garden in the season opener.

TOO MUCH GOD AND GOLF: Jeff Van Gundy nearly created a holy war in the Knicks locker room with his comments about religion in a magazine story.

Van Gundy attempted to defuse a potential explosive situation with Allan Houston, Charlie Ward and Mark Jackson when he brought them into his office last week to warn them about the remarks in which he said he is opposed to religion being thrust into the workplace.

Van Gundy said in the upcoming issue of New York Magazine that too much locker-room access is allowed to the club's designated preacher, Pastor John Love, calling it a distraction. Van Gundy also said post-game prayer among opponents is bad for the league.

Van Gundy said God and golf are the two worst things to happen in the NBA.

"And I don't mean that in a derogatory way to God,'' Van Gundy told the magazine. "I'll tell you what I do have a problem with -- we have it in our situation here. We let a preacher into our locker room. Spends as much time as he wants with our players before games. Now, do people in offices have preachers coming into their place of business, interrupting their work? No. They have to do it before and after work. They don't get to do it during work.

"That's the problem I have. As a team and an organization, you've got to try to minimize those distractions. It used to be alcohol and women more. I think we've given this guy, this pastor, too much freedom and I think the interaction between people before games, opposing sides, the fraternization is wrong for the league. It's wrong for competition. Everybody's hugging before games. Praying together.''

Houston and Ward seemed stunned by the remarks. When asked what would happen if Van Gundy tried to limit the pastor's presence in the locker room, Ward told The Post:

"When it comes to my faith in Jesus Christ and someone tried to take it away, that's worth fighting for. Other things in life aren't worth fighting for. When it comes to that, I'll fight it to the end.''

Ward, Houston and Jackson are devout Christians and are joined by Kurt Thomas for pre-game chapel service, held in a room near the locker-room area.

"He can't change chapel," Houston said sternly. "He can't change it.''

Noteworthy

PACERS BOMB AWAY: Indiana sank an NBA-record 14 3-pointers in the Pacers' 100-93 over New York last Wednesday, including seven by Knick nemesis Reggie Miller in 10 attempts.

TIEBREAKER VS. HEAT: Though the Knicks dropped an 81-76 decision in Miami Sunday, they still won the season series 3-2. The Heat have a one-game lead for the third seed, but the Knicks gain any tiebreaker.

COACH TOSSED: Van Gundy received his first ejection of the season in Miami, bounced for continuing to argue a bogus flagrant foul call on Ward that helped cost the Knicks their comeback. Referee Joey Crawford ejected Van Gundy, then bolted the arena minutes after the game to avoid reporters.