Knicks Defeat Lakers’ B Team : Pro basketball: Magic, Worthy, Green, Smith and Edwards all sit out New York’s 107-104 victory.

This was supposed to be a test of how the Lakers could do without Magic Johnson but it turned out to be without Johnson, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Tony Smith and James Edwards.

All sat out Wednesday night. The remainder of the Lakers led the Knicks as late as the third period, rallied in the fourth but finally succumbed, 107-104, in the Forum.

Worthy had a sore knee, Green a sore back, Smith a pulled groin and Edwards hasn’t played in exhibitions because of a sore Achilles’ tendon.

The Lakers are now 2-2 (2-0 with Johnson, 0-2 without him). The Knicks are 4-0.

Trailing 96-83 midway through the fourth quarter, the Lakers cut it to 105-104 on Byron Scott’s fast- break layup with 17 seconds left.

But the Lakers had to foul Greg Anthony, who sank two free throws with four seconds left.

The Lakers set up a last three-point try by Scott, but his running shot missed everything at the buzzer.

Randy Pfund, going against his mentor, Pat Riley, was obliged to get creative to field a starting lineup. He chose one with rookie guard Anthony Peeler starting at forward.

The Knicks eased into an early six-point lead, but the Lakers caught them and went ahead as their No. 2 draft choice, point guard Duane Cooper of USC, starting knocking in long jumpers. He drilled a 22-footer to beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter, giving the Lakers a 28-25 lead, as the crowd chanted “Coop!” as in the days of Michael Cooper.

Laker Notes

Doug Moe, Philadelphia 76er coach, on Magic Johnson and the Lakers: “Without him they’re another team, that’s no secret. With him, I think they’re the best team in the West.” . . . Johnson, jubilant at his return Tuesday: “You walked that walk so many times. You made that drive a number of times. I’ve been lost and I found my way home. I followed the yellow brick road.” . . . James Worthy sat out both games here because of his sore left knee, the one he underwent arthroscopic surgery on last spring, but the Lakers insist it isn’t serious. “He wanted to play,” said trainer Gary Vitti, “but we’re not going to let him. We want to get that knee cooled out. We don’t want to get in that yo-yo.” . . . Said Worthy: “I feel pretty good about the surgery. I tested it this summer pretty hard. I had a day or two when it was like this but overall, it was good.” . . . The 76ers fell to the Jazz in the first game, 119-100, after losing by 27 points Tuesday, dropping them to 0-4. “Let’s put it this way, I’m not overly thrilled,” said Moe, laughing. “Sure, I’m upset. We’re just as soft as . . . Jello.” . . . The Jazz (1-3) is without Mark Eaton, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is out for a month. “Mark has been a big factor for as long as he’s been here,” said Coach Jerry Sloan. “The franchise started to go up when he got there. Mark is a popular name among our players.”