Knicks 102, Heat 90
MIAMI -- Led by Carmelo Anthony's career-high-tying 50 points, the New York Knicks defeated Miami, 102-90, Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat were without injured starters LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers.
The Knicks extended their winning streak to nine games, the longest active string in the NBA. The Knicks also tied the Indiana Pacers in the battle for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the Heat had its 17-game home win streak snapped. The Heat, which has already clinched the best overall record in the Eastern Conference, is 32-4 at home this season -- but half of those losses have come against the Knicks.
The Knicks won the season series with Miami, 3-1.
Chris Bosh had 23 points, and Mike Miller added 18 points to lead the Heat. But Miller was held scoreless in the second half.
James (right hamstring), Wade (right ankle/knee) and Chalmers (right ankle) all sat out with minor injuries for the second game in a row. Miami is 1-1 in those two games, with a win at San Antonio on Sunday.
While the Heat were missing three starters, the Knicks got one back in center Tyson Chandler, who had been out 10 games with a neck injury. Chandler had two blocks, two rebounds and one point in 24 minutes.
Anthony was red hot in the first quarter, making seven of eight shots including 3-of-4 on three-pointers. His only miss was on his last shot of the quarter -- a very deep three. But despite Anthony's great shooting, the Knicks led only 27-25 after the first quarter
The Heat led 58-50 at the half as Miller had 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-5 on three-pointers.
The Knicks retook the lead after three quarters, 78-76.
NOTES: Bosh entered Tuesday shooting .535 from the floor this season. For a full season, his career best is .518 percent. And he's only had two years out of nine in which he has shot over 50 percent. ... Early in the season, the Knicks started two point guards -- Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. But after Kidd wore down and was benched, the Knicks went away from that look. Now, during their recent hot streak, the Knicks are back to that approach with Felton and Pablo Prigioni. ... Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on the Knicks: "Felton is a tough one to contain, much like what we saw the other night with (San Antonio's) Tony Parker. Then you have to deal with the best scorer in the league (Carmelo Anthony)." ... The Heat, which has already clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, is off until Friday's game at Charlotte. Spoelstra said his main objective in the team's final eight games is to make sure Miami is healthy going in to the playoffs. ... The Knicks finish their two-game mini trip Wednesday in Atlanta. The Knicks are battling Indiana for the second seed in the Eastern Conference and have a big date with the Pacers April 14 in New York. ... Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was in the crowd.
