New York Knicks Visit Miami Heat: Game 34 Preview

Tonight, the Miami Heat host the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. This is the second of three matchups this season between the long time rivals, and the second of two in Miami.

Miami has won seven straight games, and is coming off a 120-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. They are finishing up a three game homestand tonight, and hit the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers, the Utah Jazz, and the Los Angeles Lakers after tonight's game.

The Knicks are coming off a 99-82 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, and are winners of nine of their last 11. After tonight's game, they return to MSG to host the Cleveland Cavaliers before heading out on a four game roadtrip.

Miami is 14-2 at home, New York is 7-8 on the road.

The teams last faced each other on January 27th in Miami, with the Heat earning a 99-89 victory. LeBron James led the way with 31 points and seven assists, Dwyane Wade pitched in with 28 points, four assists, five steals and two blocked shots, and Chris Bosh scored 13 with nine rebounds. The Knicks were paced by 21 off the bench from Bill Walker, including 7-of-10 from three-point range. Tyson Chandler added 12 boards in the losing effort. Dwyane Wade talked about getting back into a rhythm after missing over two weeks with an injury,

"I just tried to be aggressive. I had been out for a while. The best way to get your rhythm is attacking the basket. After that first block by Amar'e (Stoudemire), I decided to attack a little stronger."

Miami faced down the Sacramento Kings in their last game, 120-108 in AA Arena. The Heat were led by Dwyane Wade, who scored 30 along with 10 assists, three steals and two blocks. Chris Bosh scored 20 with 10 rebounds, Mario Chalmers added 20 points, and LeBron James scored 18 with eight assists. Isaiah Thomas led five Kings in double figures with 24 points and five assists, Tyreke Evans added a double double, with 21 points and 10 assists, and Jason Thompson had 16 points along with 10 boards in the loss. Kings coach Keith Smart was proud of his team effort,

"We had to play a perfect game to win this against this team and we were pretty close to a perfect game. We had moments but when you give up 25 points off turnovers, you are not going to beat many teams."

NBA 11-12: Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat - 21.02.2012 (via jekonmd)

The Knicks are on a hot streak ever since having inserted Jeremy Lin into the lineup. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks last night, 99-82. Jeremy Lin had 17 with nine assists, Steve Novak added 17 off the bench. Landry Fields added 16 with seven rebounds, Carmelo Anthony chipped in 15 points. J.R. Smith scored 12 with five rebounds and five steals. Jeff Teague scored 18 to lead Atlanta. The Hawks were never a threat to win, as the Knicks pulled out to a 60-35 halftime lead and never looked back.

Jeremy Lin - Knicks vs Hawks Highlights February 22 2012 (via hdlive4)

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Standings

Miami: 26-7, first in the Southeast Division, first in the Eastern Conference, first in the NBA, on pace for 52-14. Last five: W-W-W-W-W

New York Knicks: 17-17, second in the Atlantic Division, seventh in the Eastern Conference, 16th in the NBA, on pace for 33-33. Last five: W-L-W-L-W

Season series: Miami, 1-0

All-time series: New York, 55-40

GameTime: 7:00 ET