NEW YORK (Ticker) -- There will be more than pride on the line Tuesday night when the New York Knicks host the Miami Heat in the latest chapter of the NBA's most-heated rivalry.

Miami is one game ahead of the Knicks in the battle for second place in the Atlantic Division. First-place Philadelphia leads Miami by 7 1/2 games.

The Heat are among the league's hottest teams, winning 11 of their last 15 games, but they are coming off an 89-82 loss to the lowly Chicago Bulls.

Miami almost pulled off a comeback after an awful second quarter that led to a a 27-point deficit.

The Heat made just 3-of-19 shots in the second quarter but outscored the Bulls, 30-9, in the third to pull within 64-61 entering the final period.

Miami forged a 67-67 tie before Chicago regained its composure and used a 10-0 run to take the lead for good.

Brian Grant, Eddie Jones and Tim Hardaway had 20 points each for the Heat.

Miami is 15-14 on the road this season. The Heat have had two days rest since playing in Chicago, which may benefit them since four of their last seven games have gone to overtime.

New York, one of the NBA's premier defensive teams, has struggled on defense lately.

The Knicks have lost three of four games since the All-Star break. They also have surrendered 100 points four times in the last seven games after establishing an NBA record by holding 33 consecutive opponents below the century mark.

New York was very close to allowing 100 points again in a 96-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.

This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The Knicks won the last game, 103-100, in overtime on February 4.

In that game, Glen Rice burned his former team for 29 points, falling three shy of his season high. The Knicks sharpshooter made 10-of-15 shots from the field, including all four from 3-point range.