The Miami Heat are having a better start than they did last season and last Monday captured their third consecutive win, topping the New York Knicks 95–78 to close a seven-game home stand in which they only lost once.
Leading the charge for the Heat were All-Stars forward Chris Bosh and guard Dwyane Wade who tallied 16 points each.
The duo were assisted by fellow starters point guard Goran Dragić and center Hassan Whiteside.
Dragić nearly had a double-double recording 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Whiteside was the one who had a double-double as he contributed 11 points with 11 rebounds, also having one assist, one steal, and five blocks.
Reserve guard Tyler Johnson was a spark off the bench for Miami as he added 12 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was pleased with the team effort that his players showed that led to the victory.
"In this game I think it was fitting that there wasn't a quote-unquote star of the game. It was more of a group effort," Spoelstra said, according to the Associated Press.
The victory gave Miami a 9–4 record for the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Former Heat player LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still leading the conference at 11–3.
Up next for the Heat is a two-game road trip versus the Detroit Pistons today, Wednesday, and a rematch with New York on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Knicks were led by franchise star forward Carmelo Anthony who had 21 points.
Rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis again had a double-double performance of 20 points and 14 rebounds that came along with one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
The loss pulled the Knicks down to the ninth spot in the East with an 8–7 record. They will have a chance of improving that when they face the Orlando Magic today, Wednesday.
