Robinson, Butler Lead The Way As Heat Roll Past Knicks 110-96
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Duncan Robinson scored 25 points while shooting 7 of 11 from 3-point range, leading four Miami players with 20 or more points in the Heat's 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
Jimmy Butler added 22 points, Tyler Herro scored 21 and P.J. Tucker had 20 for the Eastern Division-leading Heat, who have won eight of 10.
Miami never trailed and maintained a double-digit advantage after outscoring New York 30-16 in the first quarter.
Dewayne Dedmon's two free throws late in the third quarter gave the Heat their largest lead at 88-58.
Although he was limited to six points, Bam Adebayo had 11 assists and eight rebounds for Miami, which won its sixth straight at home against New York.
Obi Toppin scored 18 points and RJ Barrett 17 for the Knicks, who have lost five of six.
The Heat played their fifth straight without starting point guard Kyle Lowry, who is out because of personal reasons.
TIP-INS
Knicks: C Mitchell Robinson returned after a one-game absence because of left ankle soreness and had seven points in 29 minutes.
C Nerlens Noel (left knee soreness) did not play.
After sitting out four consecutive games, Noel appeared in New York's back-to-back set against the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Sunday and Monday.
F Cam Reddish played 10 minutes and scored six points.
He has sat out five of seven games since being acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Jan. 13.
Heat: Tucker's 10 points in the first quarter were a season-high in any period.
G Gabe Vincent finished with eight points, snapping his double-digit scoring streak at four while replacing Lowry in the starting lineup.
F Max Strus missed his six 3-point attempts and his streak of multiple makes from beyond the arc ended at 15 games.
AT LONG LAST
It took the Knicks 49 games and the Heat 48 to face their last Eastern Conference opponent.
The clubs will have two additional regular-season games on Feb. 25 and March 25.
The Knicks have yet to face Western Conference clubs Memphis, Utah, Portland, and Sacramento, while San Antonio remains the only opponent the Heat haven't played.
They square off in San Antonio on Feb. 3.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Travel to Milwaukee to play the defending NBA champion Bucks on Friday night.
Heat: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
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