The Miami Heat visit the New York Knicks on Thursday. Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast or watch the live stream below.
It's been a forgettable season thus far for New York (12-22), but the team recently showed signs of life by stringing together two straight wins. With Miami visiting The Garden, the Knicks can make a major statement - and boost their confidence - with a win at home over the Eastern Conference powerhouse.
Carmelo Anthony continues to live up to his contract with team-highs in points (26.3 ppg) and rebounds (8.6 rpg), but the Knicks still need bigger contributions from their supporting case. J.R. Smith, who signed a three-year deal worth $18 million last season, hasn't been productive and is now the subject of trade rumors.
His decreased production - 18.1 points per game last season to 11.3 points per game this season - and volatile behavior have made him expendable. The NBA fined Smith $50,000 this week for untying an opponent's shoelaces, and on Thursday ESPN reported New York is exploring trade options.
Miami (27-8), meanwhile, sit one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are already the early favorites to win the NBA title, which would be their third in as many years.
Still, Miami has problems of their own.
"We're an old team, man," Heat star Dwyane Wade said, via ESPN. "It takes us a while sometimes to get the juices flowing. Playing against a lot of young teams, they come in loose, ready. We've got to get our body going a little bit."
Old or not, Miami still has what no other team has: superstar LeBron James. The reigning league MVP is making a strong case for his fifth MVP award, leading his team in all major categories with 25.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
The Heat have won eight of their last 10 games, including three straight.
Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE (MIA) and HERE (NY), or watch the live stream HERE.
