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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MIAMI (AP) -- Pat Riley emerged from the locker room chewing his
fingernails, his shirt soaked with sweat. It was that kind of game.
The Miami Heat overcame Alonzo Mourning's absence and a 20-point
first-half deficit Monday night, rallying past the New York Knicks
85-76 to remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.
|  | | Relegated by injury to the bench, Alonzo Mourning played cheerleader as the Heat rallied to a huge win. |
"Just an incredible game for us," said Riley, whose Heat had
been struggling in recent weeks. "I haven't had this feeling about
this team in a while. When we play that committed on defense, we
can really be good."
Shorthanded Miami fell behind 37-17, then came back thanks to
Jamal Mashburn, Clarence Weatherspoon and smothering defense. The
Knicks started 12-for-16 but shot just 30 percent the rest of the
way.
The Heat, who have led the division for nearly the entire
season, pulled 1½ games ahead of New York.
"They outplayed us," said Knicks center Patrick Ewing, who
failed to take advantage of Mourning's absence and had just eight
points in 39 minutes. "We won the first quarter; they won the rest
of the game."
Mourning wasn't in uniform because of a sore left ankle he
injured Saturday at Washington, and he said he won't make the trip
for Tuesday's game at San Antonio. Heat guard Voshon Lenard also
missed the game with a lower abdominal strain.
Mourning watched from the bench, standing through much of the second half.
"It was definitely nerve-wracking," he said. "But I'm happy
right now."
Mashburn scored 24 points for Miami, and Weatherspoon had 14
points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
Larry Johnson scored 20 points for the Knicks, who made their
first four 3-point attempts and raced to a 29-12 lead after just
seven minutes.
"It was an onslaught in the beginning, and we could have lost
all kinds of heart," Riley said.
"You can't let them break your will," Weatherspoon said.
When New York cooled off, Weatherspoon sank four consecutive
baskets for Miami to help cut the margin to 43-37 at halftime. The
Knicks had six points in the final 10:41 of the half.
The Heat scored the final seven points of the third period,
taking their first lead at 61-60 on Mashburn's one-handed 10-footer
in the final second. Dan Majerle's 3-pointer put the Heat ahead to
stay, 66-63, and the Knicks made just one basket in the next eight
minutes.
"We played great in the first quarter, and they were great
defensively after that," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I
give them a lot of credit. We've really been struggling offensively
since the All-Star break. You're not going to win on the road when
you score only 76 points."
The game was reminiscent of the most recent meeting between the
archrivals, except the roles were reversed. Miami blew an early
15-point lead and lost at New York on Feb. 6.
The Heat extended their home winning streak to nine games. The
victory marked the start of a tough five-game stretch against
likely playoff teams, including San Antonio on Tuesday.
"We feel good about tonight," Riley said, "but we've got the world champions on the road tomorrow."
Game notes
The Knicks fell to 1-13 on the road when they trail going
into the fourth quarter. ... In the five seasons since Mourning joined the Heat, they're 33-24 when he doesn't play. ... The crowd of 19,708 was the fourth sellout for the Heat since moving into their new arena Jan. 2. ... The Knicks last won the division in 1994, when Riley was their coach. ... The Heat have not reached 100 points in their past eight games.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
New York Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
Mourning misses showdown with Ewing, Knicks
RECAPS
Dallas 108
Boston 100
Seattle 84
Charlotte 81
Miami 85
New York 76
Utah 106
New Jersey 101
Golden State 80
Atlanta 75
Houston 96
LA Clippers 77
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Pat Riley's Heat played hard to compensate for their injuries.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
"We have been struggling offensively," says Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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