The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 106-94 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. The victory clinched the series for the Heat, ending the Knicks' season.
LeBron James scored 29 points on 7 of 16 shooting, going 13 of 15 from the free throw line. He added 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh added 19 points apiece.
Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 35 points, but whereas James only needed 16 shots to score his 29, Anthony needed 31. The Knicks have not won a playoff series since 2000, the second-longest streak in franchise history.
Amare Stoudemire scored 14 points for the Knicks, but fouled out with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter on an offensive foul against Shane Battier. As he walked off the AmericanAirlines Arena court, public address announcer Michael Baiamonte could be heard telling the crowd, "He has been extinguished from the game." The reference to Stoudemire's hand injury (sustained from punching a glass fire extinguisher case after Game 2) capped a difficult series for Stoudemire.
The Knicks jumped out to an early 17-12 lead, but after Miami closed the first quarter with a 16-7 run, New York would not regain the lead all game.
Six different Heat players scored at least 9 points. Miami bounced back from its Game 4 three-point shooting difficulties, going 9 of 19 from downtown. Battier and Mike Miller combined for 5 three-pointers off the bench.
The Heat had nothing but respect for the Knicks, especially Anthony, after the game. "He's one of the most competitive players I've ever played against in a playoff series," James said. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added, "I dont know how you can stop that guy."
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The win means the Heat will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. Game 1 will take place on Sunday at 3:30 in Miami.
"We will savor this win tonight," James said. "And then we get to work tomorrow and get ready for Indiana."
