Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Box Score on Nov 29, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 29, 2017

NEW YORK -- Enes Kanter had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Courtney Lee added 17 points as the New York Knicks defeated the visiting Miami Heat 115-86 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Kelly Olynyk had 18 points to lead Miami, which shot just 38.1 percent from the field and was out-rebounded 52-31.

The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak despite the loss of the NBA's fourth-leading scorer, Kristaps Porzingis, less than three minutes into the game with a sprained ankle.

Porzingis had his right foot stepped on by Miami's Justise Winslow while scrambling for a loose ball, and he lay on the floor for several minutes before being escorted into the locker room. Porzingis had X-rays done on his ankle that came back negative, and the Knicks announced quickly that he was able to return.

New York built a big lead early, though, and Porzingis remained in the locker room for the duration.

With their leading scorer out, the Knicks learned in a hurry just how important Kanter is to their cause.

Kanter, who was sidelined for New York's previous three games with back spasms, had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the first half as the Knicks dominated the first two quarters. New York outscored Miami 33-22 in the first quarter and 32-22 in the second, including a buzzer-beating, jump-catch-and-shoot by Hardaway that gave the Knicks their biggest lead of the game to that point.

New York went on to lead by as much as 30 in the third quarter as it bounced back from one of its worst offensive performances of the month, a 103-91 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. On Tuesday, the Knicks shot 44 of 73 (60.3 percent) from the field and 22 of 26 from the free-throw line.

Miami (10-11) lost its second straight after winning three straight for the first time this season, falling to 2-2 on its current road trip. With Hassan Whiteside sidelined with knee pain, the Heat got excellent production from their reserves, who totaled 43 points, but the team's five starters finished with a combined plus-minus ratio of negative-101.

NOTES: In addition to his ankle injury sustained on Wednesday, Knicks PF Kristaps Porzingis has battled back and elbow injuries throughout the season. ... Heat C Hassan Whiteside indicated to reporters before the game that his knee injury may be more serious than initially thought. ... New York has a four-day layoff before hosting the Orlando Magic on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. ... Miami returns from a four-game road trip on Friday with a home game against the Charlotte Hornets.