Miami Heat grabbed a 2-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series with a comfortable 104-94 win over the New York Knicks.
Following their 33-point humiliation at the hands of Miami on Saturday, the Knicks regrouped to make it a closer affair but were unable to prevent a 12th consecutive loss in the playoffs, despite Carmelo Anthony’s 30 points.
Dwyane Wade led the way for the Heat with 25 points, while Chris Bosh scored 21 and LeBron James added 19 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
The seven-game series moves to New York for Games 3 and 4, and Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said his team needs to capitalise on home court advantage.
“It is still a seven-game series. You have to win four to get out of it. They (Miami) held serve at home … We want to win and to get out of this series we have to win a game here,” he said.
YouTube credit: mrteportelloubaga
Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers levelled their Eastern Conference series at 1-1 thanks to a 93-78 win over the Orlando Magic.
David West had 18 points and 11 rebounds while Danny Granger and George Hill also added 18 points each to help avenge the Pacers’ opening defeat.
keep an eye out for Glen Davis’ ultra-focused half time interview in this video (around the 50 second mark), “I ain’t got no conscience right now.”
YouTube credit: NBAorbit
In the later match, 29 points from Russell Westbrook and 26 from Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 102-99 win over defending champion Dallas Mavericks to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Two free-throws from Durant and four more shots from the line by James Harden closed out the victory for Oklahoma.
Dallas veteran Jason Terry had two opportunities to tie the match in the final five seconds but failed in his two three-point attempts.
Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 31 points for the Mavericks and Shawn Marion added 15. Game 3 is in Dallas on Thursday night.
