Heavy home defeat for the Heat

Miami: The Miami Heat suffered their worst home defeat of the “Big Three” era as the defending NBA champions crashed to a 112-92 loss to a New York Knicks team without their star forward Carmelo Anthony.

The Knicks have sole leadership of the Eastern Conference with a 14-4 record, ahead of the Heat who slip to 12-5, having also lost by 20 points to the Knicks in New York on November 2.

Raymond Felton top-scored for New York with 27 points, including six of 10 on three-point throws, as the Knicks flourished despite the absence of Anthony, who has an injured finger on his non-shooting left hand.

“It was a total team effort from everyone that played,” said Knicks head coach Mike Woodson.

“Across the board I think our defence was solid for 48 minutes. I thought offensively our flow was good and guys made shots.”