After losing two straight and tying an NBA playoff record for 12 consecutive losses, the New York Knicks were backed into a corner and looked like they were on the same path as they were during the last postseason. As if the loss weren’t bad enough with a 2-0 hole to come back from heading to the Big Apple, the Knicks would have to do it without Amare Stoudemire (hand) and Jeremy Lin (knee).

With that being said, the odds were definitely in the Heat’s favor coming into Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. The Knicks may have home court advantage playing in one of the toughest places to play as a visitor in the NBA, but it didn’t make a difference as Miami was clearing the better all-around squad for third straight game with an 87-70 victory.

This game was incredibly sloppy from start to finish as both teams struggling to shoot the basketball or get any kind of rhythm going. Despite that being the case, the Heat did start to come on strong in the fourth quarter with LeBron James turning it on. With 17 points in the fourth (31 total), LeBron single-handedly led the Heat past the Knicks and basically destroyed any hopes of Carmelo Anthony and company getting back into this series.

Obviously, there is one more game in New York to be played with the Knicks hosting Game 4, but it seems as though the spirits of the Knicks’ players was broken after tasting a little success and getting shut down by a motivated LeBron at just the right time.

There is talk circulating that Stoudemire and possibly Lin could return for Game 4 with both players supposedly making progress with their injuries. Even if both players can get back on the floor in Game 4, it seems like a forgone conclusion that the Heat will advance and take one step closer to getting back to the NBA Finals for a second straight season.

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