Kurt Thomas scored 20 points and Allan Houston added 19 as the New York Knicks, playing without suspended guard Latrell Sprewell, beat the Miami Heat 94-67 Sunday night.
Before the game, the Knicks suspended Sprewell for missing the morning shootaround. Sprewell, who had started every game this season, was with the team but not in uniform. The Knicks were in Miami on Saturday, but Sprewell failed to report to the shootaround Sunday morning.
"The bottom line is that regardless of where I was, I never called, and that's the issue," Sprewell said. "I overslept, and there's no excuse for not calling."
Sprewell's status for New York's final two games -- Tuesday at Washington and Wednesday against New Jersey -- was uncertain. By NBA rules, the team could fine him up to $5,000.
The lottery-bound Knicks, with 50 losses for the first time since 1986-87, snapped a four-losing streak and won for only the third time in their last 10 games.
Miami, out of the playoffs for the first time in seven years, lost for the 10th time in 14 games.
The Heat missed 15 straight shots during one stretch in the fourth quarter and scored just eight points in the period, tying a low for the season.
Heat coach Pat Riley was ejected for the first time this season after being called for two technicals for arguing a foul against center Alonzo Mourning in the third quarter.
Leading 45-41 at halftime, the Knicks outscored the Heat 28-18 in the third period to open a 73-59 lead, closing with a 7-0 run.
With New York leading 51-45 with 8:19 left in the third, Mourning was called for a foul away from the ball while jostling for position with Thomas. Mourning got a technical foul, and Riley was assessed two technicals for arguing, resulting in an automatic ejection.
The Knicks added to their lead in the fourth, extending the margin to 86-64 on Houston's 3-pointer with 7:00 left.
Mourning led Miami with 15 points. Eddie Jones, Rod Strickland and Kendall Gill added 10 each.
Game Notes
Heat forward Brian Grant sprained his right elbow in the third quarter and didn't return. ... Shandon Anderson started in place of Sprewell and finished with 11 points in 28 minutes. ... The Knicks won for only the third time in their last 10 games in Miami. ... The teams split the four-game season series, each winning once at home and once on the opponent's floor. ... The technical fouls against Riley were his 14th and 15th of the season.
