New York Knicks History: The 5 Greatest Knicks-Heat Games Ever

The New York Knicks and Miami Heat are currently battling in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

This, of course, isn't the first time these two teams have met in the postseason.

They faced each other four consecutive years, from 1997-2000, in one of the most heated rivalries in NBA history. Miami won in '97, but New York was victorious in '98, '99 and 2000.

Back then, the Knicks' top stars included Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston, and the Heat were powered by the likes of Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.

These days, the Knicks are led by Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, while the Heat have the "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.    

Let's take a look a the five greatest Heat vs. Knicks games of all time. 

5. May 14, 1997: Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 5

Miami pounded New York in this one, cruising to a 96-81 victory. So since it wasn't a close game, why is it even on this list?

Well, it's quite simple: a brawl. 

After Miami's P.J. Brown body-slammed New York's Charlie Ward into the stands, things got wild.

The Knicks' Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson and John Starks were each suspended for leaving the bench during the brawl. Ewing and Houston were suspended for Game 6, and Johnson and Starks were suspended for Game 7.   

Miami went on to win the series and was then eliminated by the eventual-champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals.

4. April 30, 1998: Eastern Conference First Round, Game 4

New York won this game 90-85. Allan Houston and Larry Johnson scored 18 points apiece for the Knicks, while Miami's Tim Hardaway had 33 in a losing effort.

And oh yeah, a huge fight took place between Johnson and the Heat's Alonzo Mourning, who were actually teammates in Charlotte a few years prior.

During the scuffle, Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy hung onto Mourning's leg, a moment that will surely be replayed forever.

3. April 25, 1999: 1998-99 Regular Season

Playing without an injured Patrick Ewing, the Knicks found a way to embarrass the hometown Heat.

Miami blew a 20-point lead, as New York outscored them 34-16 in the fourth quarter to win the ball game 82-80.

The Heat even led by 16 at the start of the fourth, but the Knicks just had too much firepower.

Larry Johnson led the way for New York with 23 points, while Alonzo Mourning had a game-high 29 for Miami.  

2. April 9, 2000: 1999-00 Regular Season

Toward the end of regulation in this contest, New York's Patrick Ewing collected three offensive boards before kicking it out to Chris Childs, who drilled a three and sent the game to overtime.

During overtime, Childs made a free throw which gave the Knicks a one-point lead with just 4.5 seconds to go.

Miami's Tim Hardaway then received the ball and immediately faced some smothering defense from Childs. However, Hardaway somehow managed to drain an amazing buzzer-beater to give the Heat a 95-94 win over the rival Knicks down in South Beach.        

1. May 16, 1999: Eastern Confernce First Round, Game 5

Only a few No. 8 seeds have ever knocked off a No. 1 seed in NBA playoff history.

Memphis stunned San Antonio last year, Golden State defeated Dallas in 2007, and Denver was the first to accomplish such a feat, beating Seattle in 1994.

The '99 Knicks did so as well, eliminating Miami, thanks to the sharp-shooting Allan Houston.

With 0.8 seconds left in regulation of Game 5—back when the first round was best-of-five instead of best-of-seven—Houston drove to the basket and hit the game-winner.

New York won 78-77 and went on to reach the NBA Finals, where they fell to David Robinson and Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs.