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Knicks visit struggling Heat

Nov 17, 2006 - 2:24 PM New York (3-6) at Miami (3-4) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - After finally winning a home game, the New York Knicks hope to continue their momentum on the road Friday when they take on the struggling defending champion Miami Heat.

New York lost its first three games at Madison Square Garden, but its young bench players stepped up and provided some much-needed energy in Wednesday's 102-82 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Renaldo Balkman scored a season-high 18 points and Quentin Richardson nailed five 3-pointers and David Lee collected 10 points and 15 rebounds in the win. Nate Robinson scored 11 points in 16 minutes for New York, which held a 44-15 advantage in bench points.

Miami has struggled to find its rhythm in the team's first seven games.

On Tuesday, Dwyane Wade finished with a season-best 38 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Antoine Walker scored 22 points in a 112-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Miami was without center Shaquille O'Neal, who sat out with a bruised left knee suffered in Sunday's loss vs. Houston. He has missed three games this season and is listed as day-to-day.

The Heat won all three meetings with the Knicks last season.