A potential first round matchup gets a vigorous nod for Sunday’s best game when the Miami Heat make their first and only appearance in New York against the Knicks.
New York (31-28) is currently tied with Philadelphia for the seventh and eighth seeds but holds the tiebreaker.
Miami (41-17) lost 96-86 in overtime in Chicago on Thursday. LeBron James missed a game-sealing free throw that allowed the Bulls to make an improbable comeback without Derrick Rose, essentially locking the Heat into the two seed.
The first meeting between these two teams lacked Carmelo Anthony, who missed the 99-89 January 27th Knicks’ loss with a bad wrist.
The Heat repeated on February 23rd, led by Chris Bosh (25 points) and forcing Jeremy Lin to shoot 1-of-11 with 8 turnovers in the 
102-88 win.
But both those games took place in Miami where the Heat are 25-4.
Miami sports a pedestrian 16-13 record on the road, just 3-8 in the All-Star break.
The Knicks are outscoring teams by 20.5 at home since the All-Star break and forcing 20 turnovers per game.
Said James, “I don’t know if it’s a statement game but we want to play better on the road.”
Seven of Miami’s last eight road losses were against winning teams.
Iman Shumpert will play despite suffering a sprained ankle in Friday’s 103-65 win over Washington.
Dwyane Wade, who sat out Friday’s blowout over Charlotte, is also expected to play Sunday.
Jeremy Lin (knee) and Amar’e Stoudemire (back) are both out with injuries, although Stoudemire is nearing his return.
