MIAMI – Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston both know that when their games are on, there’s no way to turn off the Knicks. For those who thought Sprewell and Houston can’t play together, they combined for 44 points yesterday in the 95-75 win over the Heat. Ever so slowly, the evolution of the Knicks continues. It’s not just Patrick’s Team anymore no matter what anybody says.
“It’s difficult for teams to beat us if we got two perimeter guys playing well,” Sprewell said after he and Houston each scored 22. Larry Johnson added 15, including 11 in the third quarter, nine on 3-pointers. “With the way Patrick [Ewing] and LJ are playing in the post, it makes it that much more difficult.”
Houston said when all weapons are working, including Ewing’s ability to defend and block shots, the Knicks are a different team. Ewing had three blocks in the first quarter, setting a record for Heat playoff opponents, and he came up with 15 rebounds. “It makes it effective for us when Patrick can rebound and block shots,” Houston said.
Houston had a different look yesterday and not just the black sneakers the team was wearing. He shaved his head. “It feels good because it’s so warm,” Houston said of the real Miami heat. “I wanted to do it awhile ago but I just never did so I did it today, the start of a new season.”
Houston ate Dan Majerle alive again. “I’ve worked to improve my game in different ways,” said Houston, who nailed 9 of his 13 shots. Houston hit the first five shots he took while Ewing hit three of his first seven in the first quarter as the Knicks ran out to a 28-18 lead. *Several Knicks pointed to that 20-point comeback win here three Sundays ago as the seed for yesterday’s 95-75 beating of the Heat, the Knicks third straight playoff win over the Heat. “We just knew from that win to just continue to play together and not give up,” Kurt Thomas said. “And that’s what it takes in the playoffs. We knew this was new beginning.” *He’s Back. Dennis Rodman is hanging around the bars in the area and was spotted in the early morning hours yesterday, having a good time, of course … Twice the media was told that Knick coach “Stan” Van Gundy would give the post-game press conference. Jeff 106 . 0000.00showed up, not Heat assistant Stan. Said Jeff of the game, “This was not easy. We know there won’t be anything easy about trying to win [tomorrow] or Wednesday.” *The misses were many, but two stood out for the Heat yesterday. During a brief third-quarter run where they managed to cut the Knicks lead down to 10 (it had been 17), Majerle took an interior pass from Tim Hardaway and missed a wide-open layup. On the next possession, Jamal Mashburn blew a drive.
“It just didn’t go,” Majerle said of his blown gimme. “I missed the layup. It was one of those nights where we couldn’t put the ball in a wide-open basket.” *Pat Riley, on what the Heat should take from the defeat: “There can not be any lingering anything from this other than the emotion you felt during the course of the [butt]-kicking and how that is going to translate into Monday night.” … Miami had 11 steals, its second-highest total in 106 . 0000.00playoff history. The Heat had 13, also against the Knicks on May 18, 1997. *While much was made of Sprewell, Hardaway said it was Johnson, who scored 15 points that included a trip of 3-pointers, who delivered the daggers. “LJ, every time we was trying to come back, made a 3-pointer,” Hardaway said. “He made three of them.”
Mourning, who scored 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, said the inept offense from the rest of his mates was not the cause of Miami’s demise. “It was our defense that disappointed,” Mourning said. “We didn’t utilize our strength. and our strength is our defense.” *Current Net and former Heat center Rony Seikaly had a courtside seat after returning here following the Nets’ break-up meeting. “I’m going to have my foot looked at this week by my doctors and we’ll go from there,” said Seikaly, who was limited for a second straight season due to foot and ankle injuries. 106 . 0000.00 00000
