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Big Three shine as Heat scorch Knicks
Source: Agencies |
April 17, 2012, Tuesday
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LEBRON James and Dwyane Wade combined for 57 points to help the Miami Heat overcome the New York Knicks 93-85 on Sunday and clinch the Southeast Division in a possible preview for the National Basketball Association playoffs.
James, who scored 29 points, and Wade, who poured in 28, teamed up down the stretch to turn a 75-79 fourth-quarter deficit into an 87-80 lead with a 12-1 run that lifted the Heat to a 42-17 record.
Despite 42 points from Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks dropped to 31-29 and back to eighth place for the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with six games to go. New York had been 13-4 under interim head coach Mike Woodson.
If the Knicks finish seventh in the East, they could play the second-seeded Heat in the first round of the playoffs, although they may prefer not to.
The Heat, also boosted by Chris Bosh's 16 points and game-leading 14 rebounds, completed a three-game sweep of their season series with the Knicks and would have home-court advantage for the best-of-seven series.
With the odds slim of catching the Chicago Bulls (45-14) for top seeding in the East, the Heat are focusing on getting playoff-ready. "We needed to play better on the road," said James. "We know what it takes to win in the playoffs. It meant a lot (to win) today because of how we've been playing since the break on the road."
The Heat, who fell in the NBA finals last season to Dallas, had wilted with eight losses in 12 games away since the All-Star break in late February.
Elsewhere, it was: Lakers 112, Mavericks 108 (in overtime); Kings 104, Trail Blazers 103; Raptors 102, Hawks 86; Magic 100, Cavaliers 84; Celtics 94, Bobcats 82; Bulls 100, Pistons 94 (in OT); Hornets 88, Grizzlies 75; and Nuggets 101, Rockets 86.
James, who scored 29 points, and Wade, who poured in 28, teamed up down the stretch to turn a 75-79 fourth-quarter deficit into an 87-80 lead with a 12-1 run that lifted the Heat to a 42-17 record.
Despite 42 points from Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks dropped to 31-29 and back to eighth place for the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with six games to go. New York had been 13-4 under interim head coach Mike Woodson.
If the Knicks finish seventh in the East, they could play the second-seeded Heat in the first round of the playoffs, although they may prefer not to.
The Heat, also boosted by Chris Bosh's 16 points and game-leading 14 rebounds, completed a three-game sweep of their season series with the Knicks and would have home-court advantage for the best-of-seven series.
With the odds slim of catching the Chicago Bulls (45-14) for top seeding in the East, the Heat are focusing on getting playoff-ready. "We needed to play better on the road," said James. "We know what it takes to win in the playoffs. It meant a lot (to win) today because of how we've been playing since the break on the road."
The Heat, who fell in the NBA finals last season to Dallas, had wilted with eight losses in 12 games away since the All-Star break in late February.
Elsewhere, it was: Lakers 112, Mavericks 108 (in overtime); Kings 104, Trail Blazers 103; Raptors 102, Hawks 86; Magic 100, Cavaliers 84; Celtics 94, Bobcats 82; Bulls 100, Pistons 94 (in OT); Hornets 88, Grizzlies 75; and Nuggets 101, Rockets 86.
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