Tyson Chandler returned the lineup last night after missing the last 10 games. (NBAE/Getty Images)
MIAMI — Kenyon Martin was one Knick who found Miami’s decision Tuesday night to sit LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and starting point guard Mario Chalmers hard to believe.
When asked by The Post what he thought Heat president Pat Riley’s decision, Martin said, “Did they fine them for the other day?’’
Told no, Martin, shaking his head said, “Boy, oh boy.’’
“I guess they clinched the No. 1 spot,’’ Martin said.
Told no again, Martin said, “Well they think they have.’’
“It’s the NBA,’’ Martin added. “If they don’t want to play their guys, we’ll come out, if they’re playing or not, and come get this W — bottom line.’’
Coach Mike Woodson’s reaction to the Heat’s decision to rest their two stars was more diplomatic.
“Obviously they are hurt,’’ Woodson said. “I believe that.’’
Holding out James (strained hamstring) and Wade (sprained ankle) in San Antonio on Sunday over minor ailments was seen by some as a retaliatory move. The Spurs pulled a similar move in Miami earlier this season. The move last night also may have contained gamesmanship as the Knicks stood to gain more with a legitimate victory over Miami’s varsity. A victory and 3-1 season series win likely comes with an asterisk to many observers.
“We’re being very proactive and aggressive with the treatment and rehab, just to make sure we can contain their injuries where they are,’’ Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You get into 70-plus games, where we are right now, we feel very fortunate. These are minor nicks and knacks that happen over the course of a long season.”
Spoelstra said James and Wade “made great progress’’ Monday but still “aren’t ready to go.’’ Spoelstra said James had “real tightness’’ in his hamstring.
* The Knicks hit 14 3-pointers on 27 attempts — marking a franchise record as it was the 44th game this season they had at least 10 3s.
* Carmelo Anthony scored 112 points in three games against the Heat this season. (He sat out the other AmericanAirlines Arena contest with a cut finger.
Anthony is the first player to score 30-plus points against the Heat in each game since James did it as a Cavalier in 2008-09.
* Center Tyson Chandler made his return from a 10-game absence last night and Martin came off the bench. The Martin-Anthony-Iman Shumpert–Pablo Prigioni–Raymond Felton starting lineup had a 8-0 record, but Woodson had no choice but to break it up.
The question was whether Martin or Prigioni headed to the bench. It’s Martin, who is experiencing a career renaissance in New York. “It’s Tyson’s job,’’ Martin said. “You’re not supposed to lose your job because of injury.I know that. I came back from microfracture and came back starting. I wasn’t expecting Tyson to lose his job because of injuries. All I did was hold the fort until he got right.”
Woodson called Chandler “rusty’’ after he played 23:56, scoring one point with three turnovers and two rebounds. He did make a key last-minute block on Chris Bosh. He may sit out tonight in Atlanta.