Miami, FL - The Miami Heat sought redemption against the New York Knicks after falling to defeat against them at Madison Square Garden last Friday night, with a final score of 140-132. However, this time, the battle would be on their home floor.

In the previous matchup, five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns imposed his will, recording 39 points, including six three-pointers made, 11 rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 38 minutes. Also, veteran guard Landry Shamet went off for a career night, finishing with 36 points, including six three-pointers made, two rebounds, and three assists in 37 minutes.

It's also worth noting that second-year center Kel'el Ware had a difficult time battling against Mitchell Robinson, who went scoreless but grabbed 10 rebounds, eight of which came from the offensive side.

The 21-year-old was challenged to do better by Heat legend and three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem and he promised not to let a repeat happen.

Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) on X Udonis Haslem on Kel’el Ware response to him after UD told him to study Mitchell Robinson film “First thing he said was youre absolutely right. Imma get the film, it won't happen again — Kel’el might’ve saw me play twice, he don’t have to listen to me but just to have a young

Both sides would remain without star power, such as Bam Adebayo (left great toe sprain), Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), and Jalen Brunson (right Grade-1 ankle sprain).

Also, Knicks forward OG Anunoby was sidelined due to a left hamstring strain.

The starting lineups:

Heat: Davion Mitchell-Pelle Larsson-Norman Powell-Andrew Wiggins-Kel'el Ware

Knicks: Miles McBride-Landry Shamet-Mikal Bridges-Karl-Anthony Towns-Mitchell Robinson

It was time for tipoff and Miles McBride was the first to punch the scoreboard with a right corner three-pointer for the Knicks. However, it didn't take long for the Heat to respond with a Pelle Larsson floater from the free throw line.

It quickly became a tight game throughout the first quarter, but with a Simone Fontecchio left corner three-pointer, followed by a Jaime Jaquez Jr. reverse layup, the home team led by five at the end of the first 12 minutes of action.

The Knicks shot 33.3 percent from the field in the first quarter and only secured four offensive rebounds in the first quarter. However, they sparked a 13-3 run to begin the second quarter.

Fontecchio responded with a fastbreak right corner three-pointer to bring back life for the Heat.

The game remained tight, with a four-point advantage for the Knicks heading into halftime.

As both sides headed to their locker rooms, Towns only scored four points, a drastically different first half compared to Friday night. Also, Shamet only scored six points, with one three-pointer made out of four attempts.

It was Mikal Bridges who led the charge with 15 points at this juncture of the game. McBride followed with 12 points.

As for the Heat, after a scoreless first quarter, Davion Mitchell scored 10 points, eight straight shortly after the final minutes.

Throughout the third quarter, there were tons of back-and-forth sequences. Neither side reached a double-digit lead at this point in the game.

In the final two minutes of the period, Dru Smith made two consecutive three-pointers on each side of the wing, his first points of the game, which were crucial plays for the Heat.

The beginning of the fourth quarter remained a battle, with both teams fighting for every edge possible. However, the Heat sparked an 18-5 run, which resulted in their biggest lead of the game, a 10-point advantage.

The Knicks refused to go away, with a chance to win the game or tie and send it to overtime as the shot clock reached the final seconds.

After a missed jumpshot by McBride, Towns grabbed the offensive rebound, quickly shot the ball, but was blocked by Ware. The officials originally called a defensive goaltend, which would've tied the game and potentially sent it to overtime.

However, upon review, the call was overturned, with Ware and Towns meeting in the middle of the court for a jump ball. The Knicks won it, with 13.2 seconds left in regulation. 

However, after multiple missed opportunities, the Heat survived and secured the victory, with a final score of 115-113. They improve their record to 8-6.

Ware finished with a well-balanced and tremendously efforted performance: 16 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, an assist, and a steal in 31 minutes. That's his fifth double-double of the season.

StatMuse (@statmuse) on X Kel'el Ware vs NYK: 16 PTS 14 REB 3 BLK 7-9 FG Led the game with 6 offensive rebounds.

"Kel'el was very impactful in those last several minutes," Erik Spoelstra said. "That's certainly growth."

It's worth noting that Ware beat Robinson in the battle of offensive rebounds, finishing with six over his five, which is a tremendous response after Friday night's game.

"You just felt the multiple efforts," Spoelstra added. "Even the block that was called a goaltend. It was a great effort on his part. The rebounding was very intentional. The multiple efforts, I love that drive that he had with four minutes to go. It was kind of a loose ball that was caught on the baseline. It could've been one of those flip shots, but he wanted to make sure that this thing was going to the rim and got the and-one. That showed me that there's growth in time-score context, swing moments. Also, some of the defense that he had on one of the best scorers in this game. I'm not talking about necessarily getting stops; it's just you have to negotiate through a lot of different things. Pick-and-roll basketball, flares, a guy who knows how to draw fouls and is crafty. When he's not on him, you got to patrol the paint and make sure that you're protecting the rim for us. It was a lot of different kind of roles that he had to do throughout the course of the game."

The Heat will play another game at home, on Wednesday, against former star of the organization, Jimmy Butler, and the Golden State Warriors. Afterwards, the team will go on a mini two-game road trip to face the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers, followed by a four-game home stand.

More Miami Heat News:

- "Erik Spoelstra Demands Better From Heat's Young Star"

- "Heat Rookie Kasparas Jakucionis Makes G-League Debut"

- "Heat's Norman Powell Released Document Series"

- "Former Heat Guard Near League Return"