MIAMI — Both the Knicks and Heat came into their first meeting of the season bragging about their desire to push the pace, Erik Spoelstra and Mike Brown each waving their arms at every opportunity to exhort their teams to run .

But we all know the history of this rivalry, one mired in mud as defense and aggression are the trademarks. So despite the Heat entering the night as the NBA leader in pace and the Knicks at least preaching a wish for the style, it was always gong to be what it was, a dogfight.

There were flagrant fouls, the obligatory Bam Adebayo elbow to the nose of Jalen Brunson and all of the usual accoutrements of the rivalry. And in the end, it was the Knicks unable to overcome their own shooting woes as they fell, 115-107, their first loss of the season.

For all of the t

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