The Heat are not the best matchup for the Knicks. That is without a doubt, but the Carmelo Anthony led Knicks could make a series of this. The Knicks have been playing good basketball finishing the season very hot. With the exception of Jeremy Lin, who will most likely miss the entire first round, the Knicks are coming into the playoffs fairly healthy. Amare Stoudemire is back and looked strong in the last couple of games of the season. Tyson Chandler will be ready to go as he got to rest himself for a couple of games.
The key to this series will be the play of Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire needs to help Melo in the scoring department and needs to outplay Chris Bosh. As soon as Amare went down in last years playoff with injury the series was a wrap. The Knicks need to get the continued incredible play of Anthony as well as a strong series from Amare if they want any chance to make this a series. Another huge factor in this series will be the defense of Iman Shumpert on Dwyane Wade. We have seen the aggressive defense from the rookie Shumpert all season that has had many guards frustrated. If Shumpert can contain Wade throughout the series and force LeBron James to carry this team, the Knicks will make this a long series.
The problem is that the Heat just have too much athleticism and talent for the Knicks. LeBron James will most likely win an NBA MVP this season, Dwyane Wade has done it before in the playoffs and the Heat are looking to start the dynasty that they hoped for when signing the "big three" last season.
The Knicks will keep this a good series because of their improved depth and the strong shooters they have off the bench such as Steve Novak and J.R. Smith. New York is going to have to get improved play from their backcourt and some big buckets by guys other than Stat and Melo. The Knicks hope to revive Madison Square Garden and pull off the upset this series like they did against Miami 12 years ago. Sunday afternoon the rivalry continues....
My Prediction: Heat in 6
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