The NBA matinee was New York's first Christmas Day game at Madison Square Garden in six years.
The Knicks led 23-21 after the first period, but trailed 72-58 with 8:45 remaining in the fourth and could not grab the lead again in the late stages.
Wade filled his stats sheet with five assists, four steals and four personal turnovers.
Michael Beasley scored 19 points, Udonis Haslem 12 with six rebounds, while Mario Chalmers and Jermaine O'Neal added 11 points apiece for the Heat, who have beaten New York five straight times.
Danilo Gallinari led New York with 26 points and eight rebounds.
David Lee scored 19 with 16 rebounds.
Wilson Chandler scored 15, while Al Harrington added 12 with seven rebounds for the Knicks, who sank only 5-of-28 3-point attempts.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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