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Knicks getting hot, beat Heat for third straight win

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MIAMI – The Knicks could’ve taken a schedule loss. It would’ve been understandable with back-to-back road games against two of the best in the Eastern Conference, when anything better than a split seemed greedy.

Instead, the Knicks arrived to American Airlines Arena and pummeled the Miami Heat, 98-90, in a Wednesday victory that was an impressive continuation of their positive momentum.

The Knicks (18-19) have already exceeded last season’s win total, and they accomplished it by beating Atlanta twice and Miami (21-14) in a span of four days. The heroes Wednesday were Carmelo Anthony and Robin Lopez, who combined to score 44 points on 75 percent shooting. New York had dropped its two previous games against the Heat by a combined 36 points, with Anthony shooting under 35 percent.

PORZINGIS REBOUNDING FROM FUNK ENTERING KNICKS-HEAT

Wednesday was different from the opening tip.

“They didn’t look like they were fazed by a good defensive team (Atlanta) in the last two games,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame. “I see that. They look like a different team than when we last played them. You have to make it tough on him. We are trying to establish our habits of being tough and physical team here at home. This is a very competitive league and tvery talented team. We gave to show them the respect they deserve.”

Carmelo Anthony's 25 points helps the Knicks to a win in Miami, the team's third straight victory over a quality conference foe and fourth win in the past five games.Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Carmelo Anthony’s 25 points helps the Knicks to a win in Miami, the team’s third straight victory over a quality conference foe and fourth win in the past five games.

The Knicks would’ve had an excuse if they came out flat. All five of their starters played over 30 minutes the night prior in Atlanta, including a season-high 40 for Anthony. But there was no letdown from the Knicks, who never led by less than seven in the second half, and Anthony, who had 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting at the break.

ISOLA: MELO, ‘BFFS’ PROMOTE EACH OTHER FOR ALL-STAR GAME

The star finished with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists. Lopez had a season-high 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Porzingis, plagued by foul trouble in the first half, managed just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting in 30 minutes.

“We just a number of practices, shootarounds, and the ability to continue to learn who we are as a group and how to play together,” Derek Fisher said. “I think that is how we are different, we are a little bit better equipped as a team. Miami is just a really good team so we have to be the best that we can be just to have a chance.”

Heat center Hassan Whiteside was upgraded from his pregame status of questionable and played 29 minutes on a bruised knee, scoring just eight points with eight boards. Miami never got the deficit closer than 7 in the second half, despite a 28-point effort from Chris Bosh.

Kristaps Porzingis contributes 12 points, four boards and two blocks in the win.Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Kristaps Porzingis contributes 12 points, four boards and two blocks in the win.

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There were instances when the Heat appeared poised for a run, when the momentum was there for the taking. Towards the end of the third quarter, for instance, Bosh – an antagonist to Porzingis since their first matchup in November – drove past the rookie and threw down a slam. Porzingis immediately ran to the other end and converted an easy transition alley-oop, silencing the crowd as it was still trying to process Bosh’s dunk.

The Knicks had an answer for every Miami question, until the arena cleared out with Anthony at the foul line and Miami looking desperate by calling a timeout with 55 seconds left and an 11-point deficit.

If the Knicks want to make it four in a row, they’ll have to do it in San Antonio on Friday. It’s getting harder to doubt they can pull it off.

Tags:
new york knicks ,
miami heat ,
nba ,
carmelo anthony

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