• Tweet

• Tweet

Miami Heat's LeBron James (2nd L) is blocked as he goes to shoot by New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (L), Shawne Williams (3) and Amare Stoudemire.

The New York Knicks, with newly acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, along with Amare Stoudemire, could be considered a Big Three of their own. With those three, the Knicks were 1-1 prior to their game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena.

As it would turn out, the game was close for the most part, but a late Stoudemire block on a LeBron James shot attempt allowed New York to take the 91-86 win.

The Heat had their way in the first half, taking a 51-36 advantage when Chris Bosh scored with 4:25 left in the second quarter, and Wade would lift up a 24-footer which missed. That shot would change the complexion of the remainder of the first half as the Knicks scored the final 16 points of the period, starting with a Billups 3-pointer – the first of four by New York – all of which gave the Knicks a 52-51 lead at halftime.

Another scoring drought would hurt Miami in the third; up 66-60 when Mike Miller drained a 3 with 3:30 left in the quarter, the Heat would go ice cold the rest of the period. Anthony elevated hismelf over James Jones for a layup wth 1:13 left, added a 3-pointer 34 seconds later, and New York were within 66-65 going into the fourth quarter.

Miami had a chance to take over in the final period, after holding an 82-76 lead with 4 minutes remaining in the game. Billups was charged with a technical after the Knicks argued Wade knocked the ball out of bounds, and Mike Miller(notes) hit the free throw. On the same possession, James had the ball knocked away by Anthony as the shot clock was expiring but still managed to muscle an attempt to the rim.

Bosh grabbed the rebound, quickly threw the ball to LeBron James for a layup and a six-point Heat lead.

But as was the case for a good portion of the game, the Knicks came back; a 9-2 run over the next three minutes, capped by Billups’ trey over Wade with 1:10 left, gave New York an 85-84 lead.

Billups added a steal on Miami’s next possession and set up Shawne Williams for a pair of free throws and an 87-84 lead. James replied with a pair of free throws of his own, getting the Heat to within one.

The Knicks’ Bill Walker turned the ball over with 12.7 seconds remaining when he was unable to handle an inbounds pass, giving Miami one last shot at the victory.

James drove on Anthony down the left side of the lane, but Stoudemire swatted James’ shot away, icing the win for New York.

Anthony led the Knicks with a game-high 29 points, along with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block while Billups and Stoudemire each scored 16 – with Billups grabbing 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Stoudemire grabbed 10 boards, dished out 3 assists, along with a block.

James led the Heat scorers with 27 points, along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a block, but also turned the ball over 5 times while Bosh added 20 with 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block. Dwyane Wade chipped in 12 with 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals, but also committed 5 turnovers.

New York (30-27) plays again on Tuesday when they make the short commute north to Orlando to take on the Magic while Miami (43-17) remains at home to host the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.