NEW YORK -- Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wasted no time integrating Joe Johnson into the starting lineup, just one day after he signed with the team after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets.

Johnson, a 14-year veteran, responded by scoring 12 points, including the 19,000th point of his career, in Miami's 98-81 win over the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

The player primarily responsible for recruiting Johnson to South Florida, guard Dwyane Wade, continued his dominance over the Knicks, pouring in 26 points. It marked the 40th consecutive game in which Wade scored in double figures against New York -- his longest streak against any team in the league.

"He (Wade) was telling me about the family atmosphere they have here," said Johnson. "I have never joined a team in midseason. It is a challenge."

Reserve center Hassan Whiteside tossed in 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds off the bench for Miami (33-26), which never trailed. Forward Luol Deng added 15 points.

With Miami forward Chris Bosh's future uncertain due to medical issues relating to a blood clot, the acquisition of Johnson gives Spoelstra another proven scorer in the frontcourt.

"He (Johnson) is such a cerebral, experienced player that once he and the veterans got out there ... that's why we started him," said Spoelstra. "He is a quick study and he fits how we are trying to play."

Forward Carmelo Anthony paced the Knicks (25-36) with 25 points, while center Robin Lopez had 14 points and 14 rebounds. New York lost for the 10th time in 12 games.

Anthony made just 9 of his 24 shots.

"When he (Anthony) has the opportunity to move the ball, he has done a good job of that," said Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis. "But when you run the same repetitive play, and do it over and over and over again, they (Miami) lock into it.

"It's not going to work for us. We are not that type of team. We have to move the ball and put pressure on the defense."

A pair of baskets from Heat center Amar'e Stoudemire, a former Knicks player, provided Miami an 88-73 cushion, its largest lead of the second half to that point.

A 10-2 Knicks run to close the third quarter cut the Heat's lead to 69-65, but Miami responded by starting the fourth quarter with a 13-5 burst for an 82-70 edge with 8:02 to play. Whiteside was responsible for five of those points.

The Knicks were able to trim the Heat's halftime lead to 44-39 with a 10-1 surge to finish the second quarter. Forward Lance Thomas drained two 3-pointers in the run.

Miami (33-26) opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run to advance its lead to 37-21. Deng scored six points in the sequence.

Wade and guard Goran Dragic combined for 12 points to help the Heat take a 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

NOTES: Miami matched a franchise record with its fifth straight win over the Knicks in New York. ... The Heat are 14-0 when holding opponents under 90 points. ... Miami F Chris Bosh missed his sixth consecutive game due to a recurring medical condition surrounding a blood clot that forced him to miss the final 30 games last season. ... Knicks F Arron Afflalo is out with a strained calf. ... With the addition of F Joe Johnson, the Heat have an NBA-leading 38 career All-Star selections. G Dwyane Wade leads with 12. ... Miami F Josh McRoberts turned 29 on Sunday.