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Knicks and Heat renew rivalry in South Beach

Dec 28, 2010 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Knicks will be out for a measure of revenge against LeBron James and the Miami Heat tonight, when they begin a two-game tour through Florida with a showdown in South Beach.

The Knicks, who will also visit Orlando, dropped a 113-91 decision to the Heat back on Dec. 17 this season at Madison Square Garden. James quieted the boos with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and led the Heat to their sixth straight win over New York. The Knicks will now look to end a three-game slide at AmericanAirlines Arena.

New York has won two in a row overall since a three-game slide and improved to 15-4 in its last 19 games with a 103-95 triumph over Chicago in the Big Apple on Christmas Day. The Knicks ripped off 10 straight points in the fourth quarter to pull away and got 20 points and 10 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire. Raymond Felton also had 20 points and dished out 12 assists in the win.

The Knicks had 10 blocks -- six from Stoudemire --, 12 steals and made 12 of their 22 shots from three-point range. It was the first time in franchise history they posted at least 10 blocked shots, 10 steals and 10 threes in a game.

"We're really playing great defense right now," said Felton, who has handed out 10 or more assists in six straight games. "Our offense is clicking right now, as well. Our defense has really been great over these past couple of games. That's why we're winning games. We beat a really good team today. They are one of the best teams in the league right now, in my opinion. So, it's just a good win for us, especially on Christmas Day."

Wilson Chandler added 15 points and 10 rebounds, including 10 points and seven caroms in the fourth quarter. Landry Fields recorded 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for New York, which will put its 10-5 road record to the test Tuesday evening. The Knicks had an eight-game road winning streak come to an end in Cleveland on Dec. 18. Stoudemire has scored 20 or more points in 15 straight games, the longest such streak since Patrick Ewing turned the trick in 17 consecutive games from Jan. 8 - Feb. 6, 1994.

Meanwhile, the Heat are also coming off a Christmas Day victory with a decisive 96-80 win against the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in Hollywood. James posted his 31st career triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Chris Bosh registered 24 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, which has won 14 of its last 15 games. James is the only player in franchise history to record at least three triple-doubles during the same season.

"It was a very good team win, a lot of people contributed," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We tried to be as active as we could be. We're building an identity along with building continuity."

Dwyane Wade added 18 points, six assists and five rebounds in his return to the lineup after missing Thursday's 95-83 win at Phoenix. The Southeast Division-leading Heat have won nine straight road games and will try to build on a 12-4 home ledger tonight.

Bosh has scored 20 or more points in five of his last seven games, averaging 55.0 percent shooting in that stretch. He has aided the Heat in keeping opponents under 100 points scoring in 15 straight contests. Miami is 13-1 in December and is one win shy of tying the team mark of 14 established in 2004.