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James recovered quickly, delivering a series of blocks, jumpers and one resounding breakaway dunk as he led the Heat to a 99-93 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

James finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists as the Heat (43-14) extended their streak to 14 games. The Knicks (35-21) lost for the first time in four games and lost to the Heat for the first time in three meetings this season.

Carmelo Anthony had 32 points, but he was only 3 for 11 from the field in the second half, when Miami erased a double-digit deficit.

Since these teams last met in early December — in the second of two 20-point Knicks routs — they have traveled divergent paths, with the Heat dominating the league and the Knicks meandering through the schedule.

"They're playing at a much higher level now," Coach Mike Woodson said before the game, calling the Heat "by far the best team right now in our league."

Despite the Knicks' struggles for the last few months, Woodson insisted, "We are a contender."

Sunday's game proved, if nothing else, that the Knicks can play like a contender when focused and properly motivated.

The Knicks raced to an early 16-point lead, and for a time it looked as if this would be another stunner. When James toppled to the court in the third quarter with a twisted left knee, the Knicks looked primed for a victory.

James did not stay down, nor did the Heat. The lead was gone by early in the fourth quarter, and the game remained tense to the final buzzer.

James was injured with 7 minutes 54 seconds left in the third, when he soared high for a lob at the basket and was undercut by a leaping J. R. Smith. They collided in midair, and James landed awkwardly near the baseline, holding his knee. He never left the game.

After months of virtual dormancy, the Knicks of November re-emerged for a time Sunday. They hustled, they attacked the defense and they made a whole lot of 3-pointers, building a 15-point lead by halftime.

Even Jason Kidd, who turns 40 this month, looked as if he had been sent back in time, by three months or three years. He made four 3-pointers in the first half, his most in a game since Jan. 5 and as many as he had hit in the previous eight games combined.

But it was Anthony who carried the offense in the half, scoring 24 points with efficiency: 6 for 8 from the field and 11 for 12 from the foul line.

The Knicks closed the half on a 17-5 run, including 7 points from Anthony, who enjoyed a chorus of "M-V-P" chants as he converted three free throws with 1:10 left. Anthony took a blow to the ribs on the play that sent him to the line, and he went to the locker room early. He appeared fine the rest of the afternoon.

The Heat were uncharacteristically sloppy in the first half, committing 12 turnovers — just shy of their per-game average — which the Knicks turned into 20 points. And their stars were uncharacteristically quiet, with James and Wade combining for 17 points.

REBOUNDS

Kenyon Martin is expected to get a second 10-day contract after his first 10-day deal expires Monday. The Knicks are still evaluating Martin, who had not played this season before signing with them. Although he has played sparingly so far, Martin is likely to stick for the rest of the season, with the Knicks needing frontcourt help and defense. "He's not going anywhere," Mike Woodson said. "I like Kenyon and I think he can be a plus for our ball club. It's just a matter of us getting comfortable and getting him acclimated to what we want done." ... Marcus Camby, who missed 20 games because of an injured left foot, was in uniform for the first time since Jan. 10. He did not enter the game. ... To make room for Camby, the Knicks placed Chris Copeland on the inactive list — the first time this season that they deactivated a healthy player.