Anthony scored 35 as Knicks top Heat
MIAMI -- Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 35 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 114-103 victory over the undermanned Miami Heat on Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Anthony's outburst was the most points scored against Miami by any player this season, and the Knicks' 114 points were also the most against the Heat.
Miami point guard Goran Dragic scored 29 points -- the most during his Heat tenure.
New York's win was marred by the loss of point guard Derrick Rose, who scored 10 points before departing in the third quarter due to back spasms. He did not return.
The Knicks (12-9) won the rebounding battle 53-46 against Miami.
It was a rare road win for the Knicks, who are 3-6 away from Madison Square Garden. But Miami (7-14) is struggling at home, just 2-8 this season.
Miami, which had just nine healthy players, was led inside by center Hassan Whiteside, who had 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. It was Whiteside's 17th double-double of the season, second in the NBA to Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There were nine lead changes and five tie scores in a wild first quarter that saw the Knicks end it with a 26-25 lead. Anthony missed his first four shots, but Rose picked him up with eight points in the quarter, all around the paint.
Miami led 54-53 at the half. New York missed its first 11 3-point tries in the first half before Anthony connected. On New York's next possession, Anthony hit a turnaround jumper as the first-half buzzer sounded.
Anthony had 10 points in the second quarter, matching Whiteside. Miami built a nine-point lead in the second quarter, but offensively challenged Joakim Noah hit three tip-ins to get New York back in the game. New York had 31 first-half rebounds -- the most against Miami in any half this season.
The Knicks outscored the Heat 31-23 in the third to take an 84-77 lead. Anthony had 13 points in the quarter, including consecutive 3-pointers. Knicks guard Brandon Jennings ended the quarter by making a rainbow floater at the buzzer.
New York outscored Miami 30-26 in the fourth. The Knicks are now 11-1 this season when leading after three quarters.
NOTES: Knicks SG Courtney Lee (ankle) returned to the lineup after missing two games, and he scored nine points. ... Four Heat players, all of whom have started this season, sat out Tuesday's game: SF Luke Babbit (hip); SF Justise Winslow (wrist), SG Dion Waiters (groin) and SG Josh Richardson (ankle). ... Heat backup F James Johnson (rotator cuff) missed the game, too; he is new to the injury list. Heat players have combined to miss 84 games so far this season. ... Heat C Hassan Whiteside tied his career high by playing 41 minutes in Miami's previous game, at Portland. ... From 1997 to 2000, the Heat and Knicks met in the playoffs four straight years, with New York winning three of those memorable matchups. But this matchup was overshadowed by Wednesday's visit from LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to New York's Madison Square Garden. ... Miami will play at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.