Heat-Knicks Preview

Knicks coach Derek Fisher is searching for answers to New York's sluggish offense, especially the drop in production off the bench.

It's not likely to get any better in another meeting with a Miami Heat team that boasts one of the NBA's best defenses.

While Fisher claims he's not tinkering with his personnel, the Knicks could see some changes Friday night as they try to avoid a second loss to the Heat in four days.

New York (8-8) is 28th in the NBA in field-goal percentage at 41.3 and 23rd with 97.2 points per game - and things have been even worse in its previous two games.

The Knicks shot 32.2 percent, including 4 of 24 from long range, in a 95-78 loss at Miami on Monday before falling 100-91 at Orlando two nights later by making just 37.3 percent of their shots and going 9 of 27 from beyond the arc.

Part of New York's recent issues stem from a bench which has totaled 22 points, gone 7 for 47 from the floor and missed all 16 of its 3-point attempts over the last two games. The reserves were averaging 39.3 points through the first 14 games.

Langston Galloway has been a major culprit by going 1 of 14, and his only two points over the last two games came against the Heat (9-5).

"It's a team game," Fisher said. "Earlier in the season our guys off the bench were doing a great job, giving us some energy and intensity and able to score some baskets. They've struggled as of late but that's how it goes sometimes during a season."

Changes aren't necessarily coming despite the Knicks losing seven straight to Miami with an 86.1 scoring average. The Heat surrender a league-low 40.5 field-goal percentage and their 92.6 points allowed per game rank behind only San Antonio's 90.5.

"I think the rotation really happens that night. You can't decide before a game starts exactly what you're going to do," Fisher said. "I think too many things can happen over the course of a game. Right now, we're just continuing to try to find guys that we know are going to consistently give us what we need. That's going to be different every night."

Consistency isn't an issue for Carmelo Anthony, who leads the Knicks with 22.8 points per game. He had 28 points and 13 rebounds against the Magic after scoring 21 at Miami. He's averaging 29.9 points over his last 11 meetings with the Heat.

Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and 14 rebounds against Miami on Monday, but he followed that with 10 and eight with six blocks while missing 10 of 13 against Orlando.

With Miami trying to bounce back from Wednesday's 104-81 loss at Detroit, Dwyane Wade will have some added motivation after finishing with two points on 1-for-9 shooting in his lowest scoring game when playing at least 20 minutes.

"I just sucked," said Wade, who was averaging 22.3 points over the previous three and is second on the team with 17.2 per game.

Wade is averaging 20.5 points over his last six against the Knicks after scoring 16 earlier this week.

Chris Bosh had 16 points in that matchup, but he scored 11 on free throws while going 2 for 12 from the field. He shot 3 of 9 and tied a season low with nine points Wednesday.

It's uncertain if Luol Deng will be back after missing one game with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Knicks. The forward is averaging 10.3 points.