By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Amar'e Stoudemire has been voted the Knicks' first All-Star Game starter in nearly 20 years, and the team celebrated by beating LeBron James and the Miami Heat, 93-88.
Stoudemire learned that fans had chosen him to start next month's all-star showcase just before New York took the court at Madison Square Garden. The last Knick to start an all-star game was Patrick Ewing in 1992.
"Thanks to all my Amazing fans, you guys have made this a special year in NY," Stoudemire wrote on Twitter.
He finished with 24 points against the Heat.
Miami star Dwayne Wade had 34 points and James, who was serenaded by boos from the Garden crowd nearly every time he touched the ball, finished with 24 points.
Despite the strong game by Stoudemire, Knicks role players helped carry the team down the stretch.
Forward Danilo Gallinari and rookie shooting guard Landry Fields drilled late three-pointers to seal the win.
It was the third meeting of the two teams this season, with the Heat winning both contests.
"After playing them twice, I came into this game a little bit more aggressive than I usually am and it didn’t matter who we were playing against," Fields, who finished with 19 points, told the New York Times. "It was fun."
