James scores 32, Heat scorch Knicks in opener

MIAMI — Lebron James took the fourth quarter off. And Miami’s postseason got off to a flying start.

James scored 32 points after shooting 10 for 14 from the field, Dwyane Wade added 19 points in his first game back after dislocating his left index finger and the Heat rode the strength of a 32- 2 run to easily beat the New York Knicks 100- 67 in Game 1 of the teams’ Eastern Conference first- round series on Saturday.

It was physical, it was heated — and it was one- sided, too.

Mario Chalmers added 11 points and nine assists for Miami, which turned 27 New York turnovers into a franchise playoff- record 38 points. The Knicks were called for 21 fouls in the first half, Miami enjoying a 28- 5 advantage in free throws attempted in the first 24 minutes alone, and center Tyson Chandler sent James flying with what was called a flagrant foul as the Heat were blowing the game open in the first half.

“Our guys had a noticeable look in their eyes the last 24 hours,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We wanted to get back to the basics and play to our identity. For the most part, we were able to do that by being aggressive.”

J. R. Smith scored 17 for the Knicks, who lost Iman Shumpert to a knee injury and have dropped 11 straight playoff games dating back to 2001. Carmelo Anthony missed 12 of 15 shots and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Baron Davis added 10 points for New York.

It was the worst playoff loss for the Knicks since a 126- 85 defeat at Chicago on April 25, 1991.

“This series is not over,” Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire said.