2012 NBA Playoffs

Miami, FL

LeBron James poured in 32 points and Dwyane Wade added 19 points as the Miami Heat took Game 1 of their first-round series with the Knicks by the horns with a 100-67 victory at American Airlines Arena.

After absorbing all forms of criticisms for fizzling out in crucial stretches in postseasons past, James came into the game with something to prove. For one game he was above reproach, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 11-for-14 from the free-throw line.

Miami's Mario Chalmers added 11 points and 9 assists in solid 35 minutes of play.

J.R Smith scored a team-high 17 points fbut Amar'e Stoudemire (9 points on 2-for-7 shooting) and Carmelo Anthony (11 points on 3-for-15 shooting) struggled offensively for the Knicks, who remain winless against the Heat this season.

The Knicks also suffered a big blow after Iman Shumpert was carried off the court with a potential season-ending knee injury. Shumpert tried to evade Wade with a behind the back dribble when the rookie guard suddenly limped in pain and collapsed on the floor in the third quarter.

Game 1 of the series also featured a lot of shoving and trash-talking, including Tyson's Chandlers flagrant 1 foul on James in the first quarter.

The Knicks was only trailing by a single point, 30-29, with 6:53 minutes left to play in the second quarter before the Heat blew things open with a 24-2 run to close out the first-half.

The Heat never looked back from that point as James and company totally annihilated the Knicks before a pumped-up 19,621 crowd at American Airlines Arena.

The Knicks still have a chance to steal game 2 in Miami Monday (7 p.m ET) but they have to address their 24 turnovers in Game 1.

The Heat, on the other hand, is expected to play even harder as they look to gain a commanding 2-0 edge before the series shifts to New York.

 

 

LeBron James, Heat Too Strong for Knicks in Game 1