Jeremy Lin was no match for the Miami Heat.

Forcing Lin into easily the worst game of his remarkable run as New York's starting point guard, host Miami topped the Knicks 102-88 on Thursday night, the eighth consecutive win for the NBA-leading Heat, all by at least 12 points.

Chris Bosh scored 25 points, Dwyane Wade added 22 and LeBron James finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Miami, which will go into the All-Star break with the NBA's best record.

Lin's final line: one for 11 from the field, eight points, three assists — a long way from the 23.9 points and 9.2 assists he had been averaging over his first 11 games in the Knicks' rotation, when he breathed immeasurable life into a team that was floundering.

"First of all, he deserves all of the credit he's been given," Wade said. "We knew it was going to be a tough task guarding him in this high pick and roll. Our point guards did a great job. He's a good player, but we put a lot of pressure on him and it was a success."

Carmelo Anthony led New York with 19 points.

Hawks 83, Magic 78 • Josh Smith scored 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help host Atlanta snap a three-game skid.

J.J. Redick finished with 13 points and Dwight Howard had 12 for the Magic.

Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson missed his second consecutive game with left knee tendinitis, but Atlanta got 36 points from its reserves, including Jannero Pargo with 15 and Willie Green with 14.

The Magic recovered from a 10-point second quarter by scoring 25 in the third to pull within three heading into the final period.

Howard's lay-in cut the lead to 69-68 with 4:42 left, but the Magic never got any closer.

Associated Press