|
 Miami, spurred by a 36-8 run in the first half, led by as many as 26
points and held on rather comfortably.
The Heat snapped the Knicks' four-game win streak, holding them to
32-percent shooting from the floor.
"They are a good defensive team, that's one part of it -- they make
it difficult for you to score," Knicks coach Derek Fisher said when
asked about his team's offense's futility.
"Offensively we weren't as organized. We were trying to take it to
them instead of reading the defense and seeing what was available."
Miami got 16 points each from guard Dwyane Wade and forward Chris
Bosh. No-one has scored more than 30 points in a game all season for
the Heat.
"It's just about the team -- it's not about the numbers," Wade said
of the unimpressive offensive statistics.
Heat center Hassan Whiteside had 11 points, 11 rebounds and a
game-high five blocks, while point guard Goran Dragic added 13
points, nine rebounds and five assists.
"It was fitting that there wasn't a quote-unquote star of the game,"
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"It was more of a group effort. Our defense was probably our best of
this homestand."
The Heat cooled off the Knicks but not rookie power forward Kristaps
Porzingis, who scored 20 points, pulled in a game-high 14 rebounds
and made two blocks. It was his seventh double-double of the season.
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 21 points and
added eight rebounds.
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Miami's reserves totaled 30 points, including 12 from guard Tyler
Johnson, who said there was a reason why the Heat defended so well
against New York.
"It was the communication," Johnson said. "You could hear everybody
talking."
New York could only get as close as 12 points in the fourth quarter
as Miami's relentless defense meant they were never really
threatened.
"It's not easy defending in this league," Spoelstra said.
"There are so many good, talented offensive players and teams, and
the way they spread you out now, it takes a full team commitment."
Wade credits Spoelstra and Whiteside as two keys in Miami's ability
to get stops.
"We knew (that by) having a great shot blocker (Whiteside), we could
be a good defensive team," Wade said.
"(Spoelstra) did a couple of tweaks in what we've been doing. And in
this early part of the season, it's been working for us."
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Heat
clamp down on defense, destroy Knicks
