Tip off: 3:30 PM EST
Spread: MIA -8.5
Total: 187
M/L: MIA -515, NYK +415
Miami vs. New York
Game 1 – Sat. April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R?Game 2 – Mon. April 30, New York at Miami, 7:00 p.m., TNT?Game 3 – Thu. May 3, Miami at New York, 7:00 p.m., TNT?Game 4 – Sun. May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R?Game 5 * Wed. May 9, New York at Miami, TBD?Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Miami at New York, TBD?Game 7 * Sun. May 13, New York at Miami, TBD
SERIES PRICE: Miami -725, New York +575
Miami is heavily favored to win this series, but a lot of analysts are not counting the Knicks out. The Knicks have won 18 of their last 24 games since Mike Woodson took over, and Carmelo Anthony averaged almost 30 points per game in the month of April. Tyson Chandler wanted the Heat, and he got them. Now it is up to convincing his teammates that he isn’t crazy…
The Knicks have some perimeter defenders that could help make a big difference. Expect rookie Iman Shumpert to see heavy minutes covering Dwyane Wade and second year swingman Landry Fields will see extensive time covering LeBron James, while Carmelo Anthony will square off toe to toe with his former high school rival plenty as well.
Both LeBron and Carmelo have anticipated meeting each other in the Playoffs for quite some time, so bragging rights will be at stake. Carmelo has dwelled in James’ shadow since Day 1, even after winning a national championship at Syracuse, so he has to be a little bitter. This series is a great chance at redemption. James is big and physical enough to counteract Anthony’s usual attempts to bully smaller defenders. Anthony won’t be able to bull his way to the hoop as he usually does, so expect to see him launching more jumpers against James.
The Heat are going to need Joel Anthony and Chris Bosh to hit the boards much harder. Both are going to be needed in the post against Amar’e Stoudemire, too. Chandler isn’t as much of a scorer as just a great defender, but Stoudemire has the potential to make life hell on the Heat. Bosh ostensibly has the tools to cover Stoudemire, but I don’t know that he’s quite up for the task. This could be a huge series for Amar’e and the Knicks, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go seven games.
Even though the Knicks have a lot of players that can present problems for Erik Spoelstra’s Heat, I can’t imagine New York winning this series. Ultimately, they needed Jeremy Lin, and not having the 6’3″ Harvard point guard is going to take away their most legitimate chance of giving Mario Chalmers something to worry about on defense.
Prediction: Heat in 6
