Marbury had 14 points and Jamal Crawford 13 for the Knicks. Crawford, who scored 52 against the Heat here last season, was just 4-of-14 from the field.

Wade resumed practicing earlier this month, but doesn’t want to come back too soon and risk being in and out of the lineup. He could make his season debut Tuesday at Charlotte.

Without him, Miami has the worst offense in the league, averaging just 84.5 points. The Heat scored 25 points in the first quarter, then had just 27 combined over the next two.

Still, they stayed in the game and were down only one with under 5 minutes to go after five straight points from Davis. But they turned it over on consecutive possessions with a chance to take the lead, with Lee’s dunk on the second one giving the Knicks a 70-67 lead with 3:24 left.

Curry added two free throws with 2:30 to play, but that was it for the Knicks.

“We got to play hard for 48 minutes,” said Knicks forward Quentin Richardson, who left with a hyperextended right elbow after Davis landed on his arm diving for a loose ball. “We can’t lose a game like this any time. They’ve been struggling right now. We should win this game.”

The Heat led 25-20 after one and were ahead 35-24 after O’Neal’s hook shot with 5:06 remaining in the half. The Knicks scored the next 10 points, then brought a 39-37 lead into halftime after Marbury’s 3-pointer with 37 seconds left.

Marbury hit another 3 in the final second of the third quarter, sending the Knicks to the fourth with a 58-52 lead.

Notes: Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said before the game he doesn’t know when Randolph will return. ... Knicks G Mardy Collins made his first appearance of the season late in the first quarter. ... Even with their 0-5 start, the Heat were a long way from the worst start in franchise history. They lost their first 17 games in 1988, their first season.

Don't miss this on MSNBC.com Pass it on: Sons of infertile men may be next The eight biggest Olympic marketing debacles Reality show judges range from wise to wacko Cosmic Log: Is this your jetpack? Forget your inhibitions: World's sexiest islands

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

Hornets snap Hawks’ 7-game winning streak LeBron, Cavs put 76ers in lockdown late Nets drop to 0-13 with loss to Knicks   Vote: Will Nets set mark for worst start to season? Jennings scores 26, leads Bucks to 3rd straight win Marv Albert denies altercation with 50 Cent Clips’ broadcasters booted after Iran comments Winderman: With strong class, point guard is back Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is the league’s MVP Fan ranker: Who will be MVP of the NBA? NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: