Knicks 98, Heat 90
MIAMI -- The New York Knicks broke a streak of eight straight losses in this once-bitter rivalry, defeating the Miami Heat 98-90 on Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Knicks shot 55.7 percent from the floor. Miami shot just 44.4 percent overall and 0.63 percent on 3-pointers (1 of 16).
New York (18-19) won its third straight game and exceeded the win total it had all of last season.
The Knicks were led by forward Carmelo Anthony, who had 25 points, and center Robin Lopez, who had 19 points. Knicks rookie forward Kristaps Porzingis, who was held scoreless in the first half, finished with 12 points.
Porzingis was on the wrong end of some second-half highlight plays. He missed what would have been an impressive dunk and later got dunked on by Bosh. Early in the fourth quarter, Porzingis got dunked on by Heat center Hassan Whiteside.
Miami (21-14) had its three-game win streak snapped. The Heat was led by forward Chris Bosh, who had 28 points, and guard Dwyane Wade, who added 18 points.
New York led 22-21 after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 47-39 at the break. The Knicks ended the first half on a 15-4 run. Anthony, Bosh and Wade all had 12 points at the half.
The Knicks shot 56.8 percent in the first half while holding Miami to 40.0 percent, including 0 for 7 on 3-pointers.
New York extended its lead to 71-59 after three quarters.
NOTES: Heat C Hassan Whiteside, who leads the NBA in blocks (4.0) and is fourth in rebounds (11.3), returned to the lineup after missing one game because of a bruised knee. ... Heat F Josh McRoberts (knee) hasn't played since Dec. 9. .... Miami will play 14 of its next 16 games on the road. ... Knicks F Carmelo Anthony, known as a scorer but not for his all-around play, had the New York media raving after his performance in a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Anthony had 23 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and also stood up for C Kristaps Porzingis when he got into a stare-down with Hawks F Kent Bazemore.