The Miami Heat survived a scare to keep their winning streak alive and can set a franchise record for consecutive victories Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.
The Heat pulled off a 99-93 victory over the New York Knicks Sunday afternoon from Madison Square Garden, where they trailed 59-45 at halftime. Miami took advantage of a cold-shooting Knicks squad over the last 24 minutes to make it 14 wins in a row, matching a team-best streak from Dec. 6, 2004-Jan. 1, 2005.
LeBron James led the way with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the defending champion Heat, who have won six in a row on the road and are 17-11 away from South Beach. Dwyane Wade finished with 20 points, eight boards and eight assists, while Chris Bosh added 16 points in the win.
"It was huge, it was our next game, it was our next challenge," James said. "We had a few this week, we had Memphis come in our building, a very good team, one of the best teams in this league. Then today, New York, one of the best teams in our league as well. To come here, against a team that's very good at home, to get a win under the circumstances is great."
After visiting the Timberwolves, Miami will head back home for four straight games versus Orlando, Philadelphia, Indiana and Atlanta. The team has won its last 39 games when outrebounding the opposition and is 26-2 this season when shooting at least 50 percent.
The Heat are fifth in the league with 103.7 ppg.
Minnesota will play two straight and four of the next five games at home and have lost five straight and 10 of 12 games.
The Timberwolves went winless on a three-game western trek, culminating with Saturday's 109-94 setback against the Portland Trail Blazers. Derrick Williams scored a team-high 23 points and pulled down eight boards, while Luke Ridnour added 18 points and six assists in defeat.
"You go out with the right attitude, you keep busting your tail and eventually it'll pay off," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said.
Dante Cunningham scored 16 points and J.J. Barea added 14 for Minnesota, which is still without Kevin Love (broken hand). Center Nikola Pekovic is doubtful versus the Heat because of an abdominal injury.
The Timberwolves are 13-14 as the host this season and play well on defense, allowing 97.9 ppg. They dropped a 103-92 decision to the Heat in the first meeting of the season on Dec. 18 in south Florida and have lost five in a row and 11 of the past 15 matchups between the teams.
Minnesota is winless in four straight games as the host in this series.
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