Knicks hand reeling Heat unlucky 13th loss

MIAMI (Reuters) - The New York Knicks handed the reeling Miami Heat a 13th straight defeat on Saturday, Jamal Crawford sparking the 88-84 victory with a 22-point haul for the visitors.

Miami's losing streak is the longest in the league this season and the worst of head coach Pat Riley's distinguished career.

It is also the second longest losing streak in franchise history, with only the expansion Heat in 1988-89 having a longer winless drought (17 games).

The Heat won the NBA title just 19 months ago but have been in a freefall all season, slipping to an Eastern Conference worst record of 8-31.

"We have to change the energy, somehow," Riley told reporters. "We just can't seem to get anything going."

Miami led 48-43 at the half and carried a four-point lead into the final quarter but the home team were out-scored 23-15 in the final frame by the Knicks (13-27), who have won four of their past five games.

"That's been our season, been our luck," Miami's Dwyane Wade, who led his team with 22 points and nine assists, said.

Nate Robinson added 19 points for the Knicks, who shot just 40 percent from the field and made just three of their 12 attempts from three-point range.

New York played well defensively however, holding Miami to just 39 percent shooting.