SALT LAKE CITY – At the game’s outset, Latrell Sprewell heard a Utah fan razzing him: “Hey, Spree, did you drive or fly out?”

Sprewell spread out his arms to indicate he flew. And then Spree proceeded to fly through the Jazz defense en route to 27-point night – 25 after three quarters – in the Knicks’ 111-103 preseason loss at the Delta Center.

Sprewell’s explosion couldn’t lift the Knicks to a victory as their defense let down in falling to 0-3.

Charlie Ward (arthritic knee) joined the seven-person injury ward last night as the Knicks started third-stringer Rick Brunson at point guard. On the bench in suits sat backup point guard Chris Childs (respiratory infection); Larry Johnson (foot); Patrick Ewing (Achilles); Mirsad Turkcan (back); Chris Dudley (knee); and David Wingate (knee).

The Knicks shot 51.5 percent from the field after shooting 34.6 percent in their first two exhibitions. Sprewell shot 11 of 20 from the field.