Heat Look For 2-0 Lead Over Knicks
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat will look to continue building on their impressive domination of the New York Knicks when they take the floor at the AmericanAirlines Arena for Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Heat's demolition of the Knicks in Game 1 was most evident in one stat. Likely NBA MVP LeBron James scored 32 points in Game 1. The entire New York Knicks starting lineup scored just 30 points in the game.
It's nothing new for LeBron. He's been playing at a high level all season long and has put the Heat on his back many times as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have dealt with various injuries and other problems.
In Game 1, LeBron was 10-14 from the field, 11-14 from the free throw line, and made the only three-point shot he took. Dwyane Wade, who was coming back from injury, scored 19 points on 8-13 shooting and didn't shot one from behind the three-point line.
Chris Bosh once again started as the Heat's starting center and was 3-7 from the field, scored 9 points, and pulled won 6 rebounds. Bosh's presence down low has worked to extend defenses and open lanes for both Wade and LeBron to slash through.
The Heat also got 26 points from their bench players, including nine from Mike Miller and eight points from Shane Battier.
The Heat's defense also came out in full force against the Knicks in Game 1. New York shot just 35.7 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the three-point line. The Knicks also had 24 turnovers in Game 1.
For the Heat in Game 2, they need to continue playing defense at a high level and send the series back to New York with a 2-0 lead. The Knicks will be working with a point guard rotation of Mike Bibby and Baron Davis, which should open things up for the Heat on the fast break.
For the Knicks, they need Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire to play like All-Stars instead of not even showing up in Game 1. If Anthony and Stoudemire don't show up again and struggle, the Knicks will be down as the series shifts back to New York.
