Knicks 94 - 104 Heat
Final
  for this game

Heat take 2-0 series lead over Knicks

May 1, 2012 - 2:58 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - It wasn't quite the 33-point dismantling they produced Saturday, but the Miami Heat had no trouble handling the New York Knicks on Monday, leading throughout the second half en route to a comfortable 104-94 Game 2 victory.

Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, Chris Bosh netted 21 and LeBron James chipped in 19 for the Heat, who took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

"We were playing our normal package of sets and just playing out of it, and those guys had the maturity to make the plays," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of his three stars.

Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 30 points and Amare Stoudemire contributed 18 but it was not enough for the Knicks, who suffered their 12th consecutive playoff defeat, tying the 2004-2006 Grizzlies for the longest such streak in NBA history.

Stoudemire was treated by paramedics for lacerations on his left hand suffered in the locker room following the game.

"He has a cut, that's all I know, how severe it is, I don't know," said Knicks head coach Mike Woodson. Woodson did not comment on how the injury occurred.

The series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Thursday's Game 3.

Miami was clinging to a slim 58-54 edge early in the third quarter when Mario Chalmers knocked down a three-pointer, spurring a 9-2 run and the game's first double-digit lead for either squad.

The Knicks didn't go away immediately, treading water until an 8-2 spurt later in the frame pulled them within 72-68.

But Shane Battier answered by draining a trey and the Heat scored six of the third quarter's final seven points to go up 78-69 entering the fourth.

Chalmers hit a jumper to open the final stanza and it was a smooth finish from there for Miami, which saw its lead dwindle to nine twice in the fourth but responded each time with a basket on its next possession.

"It is still a seven-game series. You have to win four to get out of it," said Woodson, adding, "I feel good about going home and playing in front of our fans."

Despite 15 points from Anthony in a first quarter in which they shot 50 percent from the field, the Knicks still trailed, 27-24 after one.

New York began the second quarter on a 7-2 run but the Heat fought back until they grabbed the lead for good on Battier's triple at the 5:00 mark. Miami eventually pushed its advantage to 53-47 by halftime.

Game Notes

The Knicks' last playoff win came on Apr. 29, 2001, a 97-89 victory at Toronto...James had nine assists...Wade recorded his 71st 20-plus point postseason performance for the Miami...The Heat's largest lead was 15...Miami shot 52.1 percent (38-of-73) from the floor while holding New York to 49.4 percent (38-of-77).






Related News