Miami Buries New York 99-75 To Continue Team-Record Run

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It was supposed to be a matchup of the two best teams in the Atlantic Division. Judging by what transpired, the Miami Heat should win the division in a walkover.

Sasha Danilovic went 7 for 7 on 3-pointers and the Heat set team records with their seventh straight road win and eighth straight win overall with a dominant 99-75 victory Tuesday night over the New York Knicks.

“I guess we’re not a division rival right now,” Charles Oakley said in a dejected Knicks locker room.

It was as one-sided a game as NBA basketball gets, a statement game that left the Heat and former Knicks coach Pat Riley elated. The outcome also put Miami three games ahead of New York.

“It’s early in the year, but everyone knows this was a big game for us because we’re on a roll right now,” Dan Majerle said.

Alonzo Mourning outplayed Patrick Ewing in the battle of former Georgetown centers and disgusted Knicks fans started heading for the exits midway through the fourth quarter.

Michael Jordan scored 40 points and the Chicago Bulls won at Milwaukee 107-104 behind a 19-5 run to start the fourth quarter.

First, the Timberwolves lost Kevin Garnett. Then, they lost the game after Mitch Richmond scored 29 points as Sacramento beat Minnesota 96-89.

The loss was almost secondary for the Timberwolves, who saw Garnett severely sprain his left ankle in the first half when he landed on another player’s foot after grabbing an offensive rebound. Garnett, who screamed in pain when he fell, was taken to a hospital for precautionary X-rays.

“Usually Kevin has a very good threshold for pain,” Wolves coach Flip Saunders said.

Dikembe Mutombo had 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 105-95 victory over Boston.

Reggie Miller scored 32 points, including five 3-pointers, as Indiana held on to win at Portland 98-93 in overtime.

Howard enters alcohol rehab

Washington Bullets forward Juwan Howard agreed to enter an alcohol rehabilitation and education program after pleading not guilty to driving while intoxicated.

The case was continued until Feb. 24. If Howard completes the course by that date, the charges will be dropped.