The History of Knicks vs Heat
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat began in 1988 when the Heat joined the NBA as an expansion team. The two teams have met 125 times in the regular season, with the Knicks winning 68 games and the Heat winning 57 games. The Knicks and Heat have also met in the playoffs six times, with the Knicks winning three series and the Heat winning three series.
The Current State of the Rivalry
The rivalry between the Knicks and Heat has lost some of its intensity in recent years due to the struggles of the Knicks. The Heat have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA over the past decade, reaching the NBA Finals five times and winning three championships. The Knicks, on the other hand, have made the playoffs just once in the past eight seasons and are currently in a rebuilding phase.
The Key Players
One of the most prominent players in the history of the Knicks-Heat rivalry is Carmelo Anthony. Anthony played for the Knicks from 2011 to 2017 and was the team’s leading scorer during that time. He had many memorable performances against the Heat, including a 50-point game in 2014.
For the Heat, Dwyane Wade was a key player in many of the team’s battles against the Knicks. Wade played for the Heat from 2003 to 2016 and was a key member of the team’s championship runs. He had many clutch performances against the Knicks, including a game-winning shot in 2009.
The Most Memorable Games
There have been many memorable games between the Knicks and Heat over the years. One of the most famous was the “L.J. Four-Point Play” in the 1999 playoffs. With the Knicks down by three points in the final seconds of Game 3, Larry Johnson hit a three-pointer while being fouled by the Heat’s Alonzo Mourning. Johnson made the free throw to complete the four-point play and give the Knicks a one-point win.
Another memorable game was a regular-season matchup in 2012 when the Knicks ended the Heat’s 17-game winning streak. The Knicks won the game 112-92 behind a 30-point performance from Carmelo Anthony.
The Future of the Rivalry
While the Knicks are currently in a rebuilding phase, there is reason to believe that the rivalry with the Heat could become more intense in the future. The Knicks have a young core of talented players, including RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, and have a new head coach in Tom Thibodeau who is known for his defensive prowess. The Heat, meanwhile, have a talented roster led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and are coming off a trip to the NBA Finals.
Only time will tell if the Knicks and Heat will renew their intense rivalry in the coming years, but there is no doubt that the history between the two teams has created some of the most memorable moments in NBA history.
