Having shown signs of turning things around of late, the New York Knicks will get a chance to see just how far they've come against the two-time defending NBA champions.

Carmelo Anthony has saved some of his best performances for the Miami Heat, a trend he hopes to continue as the teams meet for the first time this season Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony knocked down three straight 3-pointers Tuesday during a 15-0 third-quarter run for the Knicks (12-22), who kept moving in a positive direction with an 89-85 victory over visiting Detroit.

Anthony finished with 34 points and hit a season-high six 3s as New York won for the third time in four games since the six-time All-Star returned from a three-game absence because of a sprained left ankle.

"He's capable of doing that," coach Mike Woodson said. "Some nights you have to expect that from Melo, but it can't always be Melo."

The supporting cast, however, has been decimated by injuries and illness, though Raymond Felton returned Tuesday following a six-game absence because of a groin injury.

Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin will be game-time decisions Thursday with an illness that has been going around the locker room, while Metta World Peace (knee) and Pablo Prigioni (toe) are likely to remain sidelined.

J.R. Smith hasn't been able to step up, averaging 6.5 points and missing 13 of 16 from 3-point range over his last four games. On Wednesday, the league fined the reigning Sixth Man of the Year $50,000 for "recurring instances of unsportsmanlike conduct" after he tried to untie an opponent's sneaker for a second time in two games.

The Knicks might not have a choice but to rely on Anthony as they go for their first three-game winning streak in what Woodson has called a critical stretch.

Anthony has averaged 38.5 points in his last four regular-season meetings with Southeast-leading Miami (27-8). He matched a career-high with 50 on 18-of-26 shooting - hitting 7 of 10 3s - as New York took three of four in last season's series with a 102-90 road win April 2.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did not play in that contest as the Heat gave their stars plenty of rest down the stretch.

On Tuesday, James finished with 32 points and Wade added 22 to lead Miami to its third straight win, 107-88 over visiting New Orleans.

The Heat, who have won 11 of 13, trailed by as many as 11 before running away against the Pelicans. Miami has trailed at the half in four of its last six wins.

''We're an old team, man,'' Wade said. ''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.''

James, who leads all non-centers with a 58.9 field-goal percentage this season, has scored 33.0 points per game at MSG since 2007-08 - his highest average in any Eastern Conference venue. Two of his nine 50-point performances have come there, though both were with the Cavaliers.

While they lead the NBA with a 51.1 shooting percentage, the Heat also have scored 108.5 points per game over their last 10. They could have a more difficult time against the Knicks, who have given up a total of 165 points on 39.0 percent shooting - including 9 for 45 from 3-point range - in their back-to-back wins.

Miami starters Mario Chalmers (Achilles) and Shane Battier (quad) remain day-to-day after both sat out Tuesday's win.

The Heat have won five of seven regular-season meetings in New York.

yellowboy90 wrote:Flu Tyson came thru like a wrecking Ball (cue Miley)

Seriously what is with this guy? P&T is reporting him as doubtful.

Begley reported that he gave it to Bargs and KMart as well and their game time decisions. Even if Kmart is at the beginning of it, guarantee he still plays which makes Tyson look even weaker.

Dagger wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:I think Tyson likes getting sick.

He's like a walking virus

When you have young kids and they go to school , they bring all kind of viruses back home to the parents. y'all just don't understand. LOL

Shane Battier will miss his fourth game due to a strained left quadriceps and Mario Chalmers will miss his second full game with an injured Achilles heel. Rashard Lewis and Norris Cole are expected to start in place Battier and Chalmers, respectively.

Battier participated in Thursday’s shootaround at Madison Square Garden, which is a good sign, but will rest his legs as a precaution. Chalmers did not participate in the morning shootaround due to his tendonitis.

“You call it tendonitis, I call it painful,” Chalmers said.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said both players are improving.

Dwyane Wade is expected to play, but Spoelstra said Wade officially would be a game-time decision. The Heat plays the Knicks at 8 p.m. and then plays the Brooklyn Nets at 8 p.m. on Friday. If Wade plays against the Knicks, there’s a chance he would rest against the Nets.

“We’re always day-to-day,” Spoelstra said of Wade’s playing status. “We evaluate, we communicate, see how he’s feeling. He has been feeling better. He has been getting stronger. So, he’s been able to play, but those determinations are always right before the game.”

Which game will they save Wade for ?

Murray and Shump in the backcourt can really help the knicks in this one.

Amare has to be on roll like butter tonight off the bench to give the Knicks a victory.

sealy wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:Flu Tyson came thru like a wrecking Ball (cue Miley)

Seriously what is with this guy? P&T is reporting him as doubtful.

Begley reported that he gave it to Bargs and KMart as well and their game time decisions. Even if Kmart is at the beginning of it, guarantee he still plays which makes Tyson look even weaker.

Your kidding. Maybe cole has a performance like moz did when the knicks lost shawne and amare. Also a bit concerned about bargs. It took him almst two months to get over pneumonia.

CrushAlot wrote:Tyler not playing toniggt for personal reasons.

Bummer. With Chandler out, seems like he's missing a prime opportunity.