The Lindomitable Miami Heat Defeat the New York Knicks: 102-88

The New York Knicks leave Miami with some "lindigestion" as the Heat handle them in the second half.

The Miami Heat Take A 51-47 Lead Into Halftime Over The New York Knicks

In a titillating first half, the Miami Heat have taken a narrow first half lead over the Linsational New York Knicks, 51-47. With both teams playing passionately, this game has had the feel of a playoff game all throughout. After exploding through the gates for a 10-4 lead, the Heat came back to reality quickly as the Knicks worked the offensive boards to provide their offense with extra opportunities and capitalized on those extra chances.

With all eyes on him, Jeremy Lin has struggled thus far in the contest. He has only 2 points on 1 for 5 shooting and, more importantly, 6 turnovers. With Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, and at times LeBron James all pressuring the second-year guard, Lin has been unable to create offense for himself or his team.

On the Heat's end, Dwyane Wade is continuing his scoring frenzy with 12 points and LeBron has 8 points, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers each have 8 points as well.

Despite Lin's sluggish start, the Knicks have had a balanced attack. Amare Stoudemire has 11 points (and 6 turnovers as well), Carmelo Anthony has 9 points, and Steve Novak hit 3 consecutive three-point shots in the second quarter.

What to look for in the second half: The Heat and Knicks understand that this is a statement game: for the Knicks, if they beat the streaking Heat, they can ride that wave of momentum into the All-Star break; however, if they lose, they can chalk it up to still needing more time to "gel." For the Heat, if they lose, they take a step back in the eyes of most media outlets and the national viewership.

The Knicks and Heat played a similar game last year in which the Knicks beat the Heat despite acquiring Carmelo Anthony just days before the game. I would look for the Heat to continue their intensive efforts in hopes of avoiding a similar fate to last year's game.

New York Knicks Visit Miami Heat: Starting Lineup And Injury Report

Heat:

Injuries:

No significant injuries reported.

Starting Lineup: (PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, BPG)

Point guard – Mario Chalmers (11.2, 2.6, 3.6, 1.3, 0.2)

Shooting guard – Dwyane Wade (22.4, 4.3, 4.8. 1.7, 1.5)

Small forward – LeBron James (27.6, 8.1, 6.8, 1.7, 0.7)

Power forward – Chris Bosh (18.2, 8.3, 2.0, 0.9, 0.8)

Center – Joel Anthony (3.1, 4.2, 0.2, 0.5, 1.1)

Key off the bench:

In just under 20 minutes per night, guard Mike Miller is averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds with an otherworldly 3-point shooting percentage of 51.8.

New York Knicks:

Injuries:

Knicks guard Bill Walker has sat the last three games with an elbow injury.

Starting Lineup: (PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, BPG)

Point guard – Jeremy Lin (14.8, 2.7, 5.9, 1.5, 0.2)

Shooting guard – Landry Fields (10.3, 4.5, 3.0, 1.4, 0.3)

Small forward – Carmelo Anthony (21.5, 5.8, 4.2, 1.1, 0.4)

Power forward – Amar’e Stoudamire (17.6, 8.1, 1.3, 1.0, 0.8)

Center – Tyson Chandler (11.7, 9.6, 1.0, 0.9, 1.4)

Key off the Bench:

Rookie guard Iman Shumpert has been averaging 10 points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals in just over 30 minutes per night.

New York Knicks Visit Miami Heat: Facts And Figures

LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade welcome Carmelo Anthony, Jeremy Lin, and Amare Stoudamire as one big three greets another tonight. The whole sports world is waiting to see if Lin can carry the Knicks against the class of the NBA. Miami has won seven straight by double digits, while New York has taken nine of 11 since Lin joined the starting lineup.

Common Thread:

Heat backup center Eddy Curry played 222 games over five seasons with the Knicks, averaging 15 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes per game.

New York backup point guard Mike Bibby played 22 games for the Heat last season, averaging seven points, two rebounds and three assists, per night, as well as a 45.5% 3-point average.

Team Milestones:

Heat:

Joel Anthony will play in his 278th Heat game tonight, moving him into a tie for 14th all-time with Dan Majerle.

11 more field goals will move LeBron James into 14th all-time, passing Steve Smith with 1,088. 14 more free throws will move him past Steve Smith, into 11th with 736. 10 more assists will move him past Brian Shaw into 13th, with 782.

James Jones needs one more three pointer to move past James Posey into 13th all-time, with 215.

Chris Bosh needs 15 more free throws to pass Jamal Mashburn into 17th on the all-time list with 534.

Knicks:

With four 3-pointers, Toney Douglas moves past Wilson Chandler into 15th all-time with 239.

Amare Stoudamire sits in 17th all-time with 171 steals. Three steals will move him past Phil Jackson and Joe Meriweather.

Team Leaders:

Heat:

PPG:
LeBron James – 27.6
Dwyane Wade – 22.4
Chris Bosh – 18.2

RPG:
Chris Bosh – 8.3
LeBron James, Udonis Haslem – 8.1

APG:
LeBron James – 6.8
Dwyane Wade – 4.8
Mario Chalmers – 3.6

SPG:
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade – 1.7
Mario Chalmers – 1.3

BPG:
Dwyane Wade – 1.5
Joel Anthony – 1.1
Chris Bosh – 0.8

Knicks:

PPG:
Carmelo Anthony – 21.5
Amare Stoudamire – 17.6
Jeremy Lin – 14.8

RPG:
Tyson Chandler – 6.3
Amare Stoudamire – 5.6
Carmelo Anthony – 4.4

APG:
Jeremy Lin – 5.9
Carmelo Anthony – 4.2
Iman Shumpert – 3.2

SPG:
Iman Shumpert – 2.0
Jeremy Lin – 1.5
Landry Fields – 1.4

BPG:
Tyson Chandler – 1.4
Amare Stoudamire, Jared Jeffries – 0.8

Knicks Vs. Heat: TV Schedule, Game Time, Radio And More

The NBA world might just explode tonight when Jeremy Lin brings his Knicks squad to take on LeBron James and the Miami Heat in South Florida, so you want to make sure you've got yourself a front row seat for the action. Lin has become the face of the NBA over the last few weeks, and now he gets to take on the team that held that mantle earlier in the Season.

Here is more information on where you can find this game tonight in whichever medium you choose.

Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fla.

Game Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV Schedule: TNT

Radio: 610 AM

We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more on the Heat please check out Peninsula Is Mightier. For a view from the other bench you can head over to Posting and Toasting, SB Nation's Knicks blog. For more on this and every NBA game, please check out the SB Nation NBA basketball hub page.

New York Knicks Visit Miami Heat: Game 34 Preview

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