HEAT 93, KNICKS 85: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James combined for 57 points to snap host New York’s nine-game winning NBA Picks streak at Madison Square Garden in a possible first-round playoff preview.
James posted a double-double with a team-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Wade, who returned after missing one game with a sprained right ankle, dropped 28 points while hauling in nine rebounds.
Chris Bosh also had a strong game with 16 points and 14 boards to help Miami (42-17) snap a four-game NBA Picks road losing skid against opponents at or above .500.
Carmelo Anthony had a game-high 42 points for the Knicks (31-29), who lost all three 2012 NBA Picks meetings with Miami this season. The loss dropped New York a half-game behind idle Philadelphia for seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Anthony kept the Knicks close until the final eight minutes of the contest. Trailing 79-75, Wade and Bosh scored six unanswered points to kick off an 18-6 run - capped by a James 19-footer - that effectively put the game away.
J.R. Smith was the only other New York player in double figures, scoring 16 points in a reserve role.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Heat guard Mike Miller returned after sitting out Friday’s contest against Charlotte with an ankle injury… Miami was playing the first game of a back-to-back 2012 MLB Odds. The Heat travels to New Jersey for the second half Monday. ... Anthony took 27 shots, while the rest of the Knicks' starting lineup had just 23 attempts.
James posted a double-double with a team-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Wade, who returned after missing one game with a sprained right ankle, dropped 28 points while hauling in nine rebounds.
Chris Bosh also had a strong game with 16 points and 14 boards to help Miami (42-17) snap a four-game NBA Picks road losing skid against opponents at or above .500.
Carmelo Anthony had a game-high 42 points for the Knicks (31-29), who lost all three 2012 NBA Picks meetings with Miami this season. The loss dropped New York a half-game behind idle Philadelphia for seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Anthony kept the Knicks close until the final eight minutes of the contest. Trailing 79-75, Wade and Bosh scored six unanswered points to kick off an 18-6 run - capped by a James 19-footer - that effectively put the game away.
J.R. Smith was the only other New York player in double figures, scoring 16 points in a reserve role.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Heat guard Mike Miller returned after sitting out Friday’s contest against Charlotte with an ankle injury… Miami was playing the first game of a back-to-back 2012 MLB Odds. The Heat travels to New Jersey for the second half Monday. ... Anthony took 27 shots, while the rest of the Knicks' starting lineup had just 23 attempts.
- New York will play their next NFL Picks game at home against Boston. The Knicks have a W/L % of .562 after a win and .464 after a loss.
- Miami will play their next game on the road against New Jersey . The Heat have a W/L % of .732 after a win and .667 after a loss. Don't forget to Jon us for our 2012 Kentucky Derby Preview and 2012 Kentucky Derby Odds. Check out the Best Handicappers at the Sports Monitor.