RECAP: Heat can't rally late, fall to Knicks 98-90

After winning their first three games of the New Year, the Heat lost to Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks in a lacking effort Wednesday night. The Heat failed to capitalize at home as they embark on a six game road trip Friday.

Hassan Whiteside returned tonight after missing the last game with knee soreness. The brief rust showed as he committed three turnovers in the first quarter. Wade had eight points in the period but the Knicks had seven different players score to give them a 22-21 edge after one.

The team dominated game continued for the Knicks in the following quarter with multiple players scoring. Bosh kept Miami afloat but a quick 9-2 run to close the half put the Knicks ahead 47-39. The 2003 draft class of Wade, Bosh and Anthony had 12 points a piece at the break. Gerald Green had just 2 points and Goran Dragic was scoreless, a sign of inactivity that wasn't portrayed during the Heat's three game win streak.

New York would strengthen their play in the second half, starting down low and frustrating the bigs. Robin Lopez got the best of Whiteside, especially in the third, putting up back to back layups on the Heat center and discouraging shots from him. Lopez finished with 19 points on 9-12 shooting. Miami had a tough time buying buckets and New York grew the lead. Porzingis had eight of his 12 points in the third quarter extending the Knicks lead to 71-59 before ending the quarter.

Bosh hit three straights shots to open the fourth for Miami. Derrick Williams would have his say for New York with seven points of his own in less than five minutes. Anthony came back into the game to smoothly hit a couple jumpers, increasing the Knick lead to 15, it's highest of the entire game. The amount of attention other Knicks received eased the load off Anthony as he hit timely shots throughout the game. Continuous misses from the Heat thwarted any plans of a comeback, something they've depended on too much this season.

At the 3:22 mark Chris Bosh hit the Heat's first three pointer, after missing the first 12, but it was too late. A lack of cohesion on offense and perfect opposing free throw shooting closed the gate for Miami. Contrary to the pattern of come from behind victories, Miami couldn't rely on it tonight. New York didn't let it happen, winning the game - with unselfishness and defense - overpowering Miami 98-90.

Chris Bosh led the Heat with 28 points on 12-22 shooting. Wade had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 50% shooting. Other than that, the field was dark with the next closest contributor being Dragic, a minuscule 10 points and 1 assists for the starting point guard to show for it. Whiteside finished with just 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 turnovers and 1 block, low averages for the league's top shot blocker. The Heat just couldn't shoot the ball, finishing with their worst 3 point outing in over a season, 2-17.

Carmelo Anthony looked like a much more polished leader, allowing the spotlight to be distributed and taken at times. The all-star had 25 points on 9-12 shooting. Lopez added 19 points and Williams put in 13 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. The Knicks shot over 55% from the field and 94% from the free throw line.

The Heat will begin a six game road trip starting out West. They'll be on the road for 11 of the next 12 games.

On Friday, the Heat will take on the Suns in Phoenix @ 9:30 P.M.