MIAMI — Robin Lopez and Carmelo Anthony posted the same shooting ledger Wednesday — 9-of-12. That may never happen again.
But Lopez, known more for his defense, is slowly improving his post play and he had his best night as a Knick in their 98-90 victory over the Heat. Lopez scored 19 points, had two blocks and seemed to spend the entire night in the arena paint.
Lopez’s early struggles could have been due to not having this many post opportunities in Portland and Phoenix and it took awhile to get the rust off his moves.
“I hadn’t posted up since college,’’ Lopez said. “It had been awhile. I was learning everyone’s tendencies and learning the triangle. I still have a lot to learn. I thought I rushed myself in Atlanta. They have a lot of confidence in me. My teammates are putting me in good position.
Heat star Dwyane Wade said: “When Carmelo goes 9-for-12 and Robin Lopez goes 9-for-12, you don’t game-plan for that because you don’t expect that.”
Coach Derek Fisher said he believes Lopez has worked that much harder since the season began. As recently as two weeks ago, Fisher admitted the club was trying to figure out how to get more out of Lopez on the low block.
“He has gotten stronger and in better condition as the season has gone on,’’ Fisher said. “I think he’s continuing to be aware of where his opportunities are offensively. He’s taking advantage of what’s there.’’
Kristaps Porzingis has had mostly highlights this season and was on the verge of maybe his biggest one yet.
Coming off a ferocious block at the other end, Porzingis drove down the lane with force, took a flick-pass from Anthony and leaped for a right-handed power slam. But the ball rattled out.
“I tried to dunk it and tried a little too hard and the ball rattled inside the rim and came out,’’ Porzingis said. “I got to work on that. I can’t miss those dunks.’’
Porzingis was asked if he hurt his hand on the play and he joked, pointing to his heart. But Porzingis rallied and blocked Dwyane Wade’s drive moments later.
Fisher said he won’t commit to it, but he has recently stumbled on essentially a newfangled nine-man rotation. He has severely cut down the minutes of Kyle O’Quinn and Kevin Seraphin. Fisher is rolling with Porzingis as a backup center and finally giving starter’s minutes to Lopez.
O’Quinn played just 4:41 Wednesday when Porzingis got in foul trouble, and Seraphin did not play. For the first time, Fisher acknowledged smaller may be better.
“Sometimes as a rotation sharpens, players are in better rhythm,’’ Fisher said before the game. “They feel more comfortable about their minutes than they were earlier. That kind of helps forming an understanding how to play together as a group and how to help each other. Those things can be better as the rotation is tighter.”
The Knicks still have an open roster spot and a player in Cleanthony Early (gunshot wound) out indefinitely, but haven’t signed anyone to a 10-day contract, which were allowed beginning Tuesday. Sunday is another important day as players with non-guaranteed deals could be waived before the money becomes fully guaranteed. The Knicks also are looking at the D-League showcase in Santa Cruz, Calif., where Jimmer Fredette and the Westchester Knicks are competing.