MIAMI – Marcus Camby slipped on a wet spot and it could have cost the Knicks the season.

When Miami’s Clarence Weatherspoon unloaded from 13 feet from the right of the foul line with the Heat down one and seven seconds remaining, Camby was caught helping down low on Jamal Mashburn. But he slipped getting back to his man. Somehow, he recovered and flew himself at the reserve forward, making Weatherspoon’s shot tougher.

“I kicked out to ‘Spoon to close him out and I slipped on a wet spot,” Camby said. “My quick reflexes took over. He’s got a slow, high release. I got back in the play and luckily he missed.”

Camby didn’t score yesterday but was a major factor on the boards. He hauled down 12 rebounds in 24 minutes as the Knicks outrebounded the Heat for the second straight game 46-43. Camby had five offensive boards.

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Larry Johnson did an excellent job on Alonzo Mourning in the fourth quarter when Patrick Ewing ran into foul trouble.

“I thought Larry’s defense on Mourning was crucial down the stretch,” Van Gundy said.

The Knicks again were superior from the foul line, one of the keys to ousting the Heat. The Knicks were 28-of-31 (93.5) while the Heat were 11-of-21 for 52.4 percent.

“We’ve been a great free-throw shooting team all year,” Van Gundy said. “We earned our way to the free-throw line.”

Free-agent-to-be Kurt Thomas played one minute in the second half. In three of the first six games, he was benched in the second half. Van Gundy said he was “disappointed” Thomas complained after Game 6 about his suddenly scarce playing time. Van Gundy also said it was “out of character.”

The Knicks held Heat to all-time playoff low during a seven-game series of 562 points.

Of 101 teams to have lost Game 5 after being tied 2-2, the Knicks are the 17th team to still win the series.

Chris Childs’ 15 points were his series high.