Miami Heat's latest acquisition Joe Johnson was in the team's starting lineup in their Sunday match against the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden.

Coach Erik Spoelstra, who said the Heat brought in Johnson to be a significant piece, backed up his words by listing the veteran among his starters, a day after the player signed with the team.

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"We have the ultimate respect for him. We've played twice against him as competitors in the playoffs and that's probably where you gain the most respect and knowledge of a player," Spoelstra, a two-time NBA champion coach, said. "So we always hoped we'd have an opportunity to get him and now it's finally happened, and let's go."

Johnson and the Heat then got going in no time, as he sank a trey with his first shot as they raced to a quick double-digit lead.

On Saturday the 14-year NBA veteran joined the Heat after clearing waivers. Johnson had negotiated a buyout on his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, agreeing to give up $3 million in salary to secure his release.

The 34-year-old professional basketball player chose Miami over Cleveland and other teams in part "because of his previous relationships with fellow veterans such as Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire", according to the official website of the NBA.

The product of the University of Arkansas started in a total of 57 games with the Brooklyn Nets this season. Johnson is currently averaging 11.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 boards in 33.9 minutes a game. He is shooting 40.6 percent from the field, 85.2 percent accurate from the free-throw line and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc region.

He finished the game against the Knicks, which they won with a 98-81 victory, with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while going 5 for 10 from the field in 30.08 minutes of playing time.

TagsNBA, Miami Heat, Joe Johnson