Miami Heat Defeat Jeremy Lin’s Knicks for Eighth Straight Victory in NBA
New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin, right, and Miami Heat's LeBron James look on during the game at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin, right, and Miami Heat's LeBron James look on during the game at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Photographer: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Jeremy Lin called the New York Knicks’ 102-88 loss to the Miami Heat “a learning experience.”
Lin connected on one of 11 field goal attempts and missed both of his 3-pointers at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami last night. He ended the game with eight points after going 6-for-6 at the free-throw line.
“A tough one,” Lin told reporters.
The Knicks have won nine of 12 games since Lin started running the offense Feb. 4 after spending most of his first two seasons in the National Basketball Association on the bench. Six of those wins were at Madison Square Garden and none of the three road victories has been against a team with a winning record.
Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James led the Heat, scoring 25, 22 and 20 points respectively as Miami notched its eighth straight victory to improve to 27-7, tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the league. Oklahoma City last night beat the Los Angeles Lakers 100-85.
The Knicks are second in the Eastern Conference’s five-team Atlantic Division, 3 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dealing with Lin was a central part of Miami’s game plan, Wade said. Lin, a Harvard University graduate, has averaged 22.6 points and 8.7 assists in 12 games.
“He deserves all of the credit he’s been given,” Wade said during a televised interview. “He’s a good player, but we put a lot of pressure on him and it was a success.”
Attacking Trio
Carmelo Anthony had 19 points, reserve J.R. Smith scored 14 and Amar’e Stoudemire added 13 for the Knicks (17-18), showing that New York’s sole threat isn’t Lin, Wade added.
“We got more guys to think about,” he said. “They got Amar’e, Carmelo, J.R. They got so many guys.”
The teams traded the lead throughout the first half before the Heat opened a 51-47 halftime advantage. Miami took command in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 29-19.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said the Heat’s defense was ready for Lin, who had three assists, six rebounds and eight turnovers.
“I’m sure they were all geeked up for him,” D’Antoni told reporters. “They took the challenge and they did a great job. It’s hard to be Peter Pan every day.”
It was the perfect way to go into the All-Star break, Bosh said. Miami next plays at the Portland Trail Blazers on March 1, while the Knicks face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 29.
“It’s always big when the Knicks come,” Bosh said. “They have that New York-Miami thing. The crowd enjoyed it and we enjoyed it.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net
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