MIAMI – Patrick Ewing looked like a shell in that first quarter. Alonzo Mourning blew by him for dunks, outleaped him for offensive rebounds.

Mourning had 14 points after the first quarter and it appeared that Ewing’s chance of finally getting his ring was over because he simply could not contain his blood brother. Ewing had just one rebound by halftime.

It changed in the second half. The Knicks gave Ewing even more help on Mourning and Larry Johnson stuck with Mourning in halfcourt sets on occasion.

And Ewing got going, and would wind up leading the Knicks to a 83-82 Game 7 victory over the Heat yesterday, his quest for a championship still alive. Ewing finished with 20 points and the game-winner while collecting 10 rebounds, nine in the second half.

“I got my second wind,” Ewing said.

When it was over, Ewing hovered around center court, yelling to the fans who have been on him all series.

“I was just celebrating,” Ewing said.

Ewing slammed in the game-winning basket with 1:20 remaining. In a fit of insanity, Mourning went to steal LJ’s entry pass and his gamble backfired. Ewing collected the ball and drove to the hole for the slam and a 83-82 lead that stood.

Ewing didn’t gloat at his buddy’s poor judgment.

“I feel for him, he’s my friend,” Patrick said. “I felt he came out with a lot of intensity. I’ll let him get all his frustrations out and call him tomorrow or the next day.”