NY Knicks: The Knicks are back at MSG to face the Miami Heat and, in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoff, Miami leads the series 2-0. Now it’s time for the Knicks to defend their home court and find a way to get back into this series. Early in the 1st quarter it was the “Wade and LeBron Show” as Miami got out to an early lead. Quieting the capacity crowd, the Heat led by nine points with 4:53 left in the quarter.
Carmelo Anthony struggled to start the game. Melo was 2 for 7 from the field with only 4 points in the quarter. Where would the offense come from if Melo continues to struggle? Thanks to Tyson Chandler, who had five points in the quarter, the Knicks were able to stay within striking distance. Chandler was officially named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The Knicks would need his presence tonight in order to keep the game close.
The second quarter was ugly as both teams struggled to score the ball. With 4:38 left the score was 31 to 27 Knicks with the lead. Finally things would pick up when Landry Fields hit a three to put the Knicks up by 7. The Knicks lead would ballon to nine late in the 2nd quarter, giving the Garden something to cheer about. But it was short lived as the Heat were able to bounce back and cut the lead to 4 at the half.
It was more of the same on in the third quarter as both teams continued to struggle. LeBron James picked up his fourth foul early in the quarter, relegating him to the bench. But the Knicks still could not get any thing going as Melo only shot 5 for 17, with 14 points in the game. Wade picked up the slack for LeBron as he scored 10 points in the quarter.
It was all LeBron to start the fourth: his first shot off the bench was a three-pointer to put the Heat up by 7. LeBron would out-score the Knicks in the fourth quarter with 19 points. In the end the Knicks could notmake it happen, managing only 17 points in the final quarter. LeBron led the Heat in scoring with 32 points. Miami cruised to an 87-to-70 victory over the Knicks, leading the series 3-o.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY