The third of four games between these two (long time) Eastern Conference Rivals. Knicks lead the season series 2-0.

Knicks home record (21-8).
Heat's away record (16-11).

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Heat's PPG: 103.8. 5th.
Knicks PPG: 100.2. 10th.

Knicks PPG Allowed: 96.3. (10th).
Heat's PPG Allowed: 96.6. (11th).

Heat's Points Per Shot: 1.32 (2nd).
Knicks Points Per Shot: 1.22 (8th).

Heat's Opponents Points Per Shot: 1.20 (16th).
Knicks Opponents Points Per Shot: 1.23 (25th).

Heat's Differential PG: +7.2. (3rd).
Knicks Differential PG: +3.9. (6th).

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Heat's Field Goal Percentage: .496% (1st).
Knicks Field Goal Percentage: .442% (16th).

Heat's Field Goal Percentage Against: .443% (11th).
Knicks Field Goal Percentage Against: .458% (20th).

Knicks 3-Point FG's Attempted Per Game: 29.1. (1st).
Heat's 3-Point FG's Attempted Per Game: 21.1. (8th).

Knicks 3-Point FG's Made Per Game: 10.8. (1st).
Heats 3-Point FG's made Per Game: 8.3. (6th).

Heat's 3-Point FG Percentage: .393% (1st).
Knicks 3-Point FG Percentage: .371% (6th).

Heat's 3-Point FG Percentage Allowed: .361% (16th).
Knicks 3-Point FG Percentage Allowed: .364% (18th).

Heat's Adjusted Field Goal Percentage: .549% (1st).
Knicks Adjusted Field Goal Percentage: .508% (9th).

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Knicks Rebound Percentage: .497% (16th).
Heat's Rebound Percentage: .491% (20th).

Knicks Offensive Boards Per Game: 11.2 (17th).
Heat's Offensive Boards Per Game: 8.4 (28th).

Knicks Opponents Offensive Boards Per Game: 9.8 (1st).
Heat's Opponents Offensive Boards Per Game: 10.9 (10th).

Heat's Defensive Boards Per Game: 30.2 (19th).
Knicks Defensive Boards Per Game: 30.1 (21st).

Heat's Opponents Defensive Boards Per Game: 29.1 (5th).
Knicks Opponents Defensive Boards Per Game: 32.0 (24th).

Knicks Rebound Differential: -0.5 (16th).
Heat's Rebound Differential: -1.4 (20th).

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Heat's Free Throws Attempted Per Game: 22.8 (12th).
Knicks Free Throws Attempted Per Game: 21.7 (18th).

Heat's Free Throws Made Per Game: 17.4 (10th).
Knicks Free Throws Made Per Game: 16.5 (19th).

Heat's Free Throw Percentage: .761% (15th).
Knicks Free Throw Percentage: .758% (16th).

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Heat's Assists Per Game: 22.6 (11th).
Knicks Assists Per Game: 19.5 (29th).

Knicks Opponents Assists Per Game: 19.3 (3rd).
Heat's Opponents Assists Per Game: 20.5 (5th).

Heat's Assists Per Turnover: 1.71 (2nd).
Knicks Assists Per Turnover: 1.67 (4th).

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Heat's Steals Per Game: 8.6 (5th).
Knicks Steals Per Game: 8.1 (13th).

Knicks Opponents Steals Per Game: 6.2 (1st).
Heat's Opponents Steals Per Game: 7.4 (5th).

Heat's Blocks Per Game: 5.0 (16th).
Knicks Blocks Per Game: 3.8 (30th).

Heat's Opponents Blocks Per Game: 3.3 (1st).
Knicks Opponents Blocks Per Game: 3.9 (2nd).

Knicks Turnovers Committed Per Game: 11.7 (1st).
Heat's Turnovers Committed Per Game: 13.2 (4th).

Heat's Opponents Turnovers Committed Per Game: 15.4 (7th).
Knicks Opponents Turnovers Committed Per Game: 14.9 (15th).

Knicks Turnover Differential: -3.2 (1st).
Heat's Turnover Differential: -2.2 (2nd).

I'm hopeful that our Knicks can advance to 3-0 against Miami come Sunday. I believe this Sunday will become the first time Miami has seen a Knicks team in which features Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemore on the same basketball court (together). I also believe that as a team, overall, we matchup well against this Miami team. Especially when and/or if healthy. No question about it, that with veterans such as Kurt Thomas, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby along with Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler; we can compete with these guys down low, off the boards, inside the paint; during a 7 game series.

It's more than just Melo vs. LeBron. I also feel in my heart, that yes Miami has Wade, but I truthfully believe our Guards in Felton, Shumpert, J.R Smith, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni can compete with Miami's guards. And yes, I know all about Wade being greatness come postseason play. But if we can advance Jason Kidd healthy, we have a shot at Miami's guards. Miami on the other hand, in return, must also keep Wade healthy as well. This man has lots of NBA mileage under his belt.

In closing, I'm ready for a nail biter against Miami. Expecting a battle between the number one and number two seeds of the Eastern Conference, fighting it out for respect. We have a chance to snap their 13 game win streak while going 3-0 against these guys. Lastly, watch out for Steve Novak come Sunday. He's shot 9/17 from beyond the arc with a combined 35 points during our two games against Miami. 17 and 18 point games.

I'd love to see that record being snapped on the Garden floor, that's the fan in me.

I expect a good battle out there, and either team could win tomorrow.

Also will he play the guys who will perform in pressure packed games likes this (MSG front row star packed audience), or will he just play his usual rotation.

than this...

Another win vs them would restore our confidence, and give us a mental boost should we face them in the playoffs. Heat are demolishing teams (won 13 straight) and will be looking to crush us after we embarrassed them twice. Need to rise to the challenge. Wonder how Amar'e and Shump will look- both probably have mental scars from the playoffs last season.

playa2 wrote:This is the real matchup no excuses on either side. No surprises, no injury excuses for either side, Camby is back it should be very interesting . Somethings gotta give ?

I agree 100% Pl2. With Camby's return taking place tomorrow, we've never been as healthy and/or as deep here in 2012-2013 as we currently are.

Dating back to the offseason, we've been one of the deepest teams in the game today. Certain posters around here enjoy talking up opposing team injuries as a way of diminishing our Knick victories. It's gotten old. When are we allowed to discuss our team injuries in which we've not only battled/fought through but also overcame thus far?

Well, let's talk about our injuries and how deep in talent/depth we are and/or have truly been throughout the course of our season.

We've contended/competed without the likes of two starters in Shumpert (2G) for 37 games and Stoudemire (PF) for 30 games. That's 40% of our starting rotation.

It's not fair nor right when certain Knick fans no longer consider Amar'e Stoudemire a starter, all because our coaching staff hasn't thrown him into the fire as an instant starter coming off an injury. You make a remark such as we've been without our starting PF in Stoudemire for 30 games, and specific/certain posters then harp over you. This would be like our Knick fan base stating that Derrick Rose is no longer Chicago's starting PG due to an injury and/or if Chicago's coaching staff had Rose come off the bench during his first 25 games back from injury, that Chicago fans no longer have that right to state that they've been without their starting PG for 40+ ball games in Derrick Rose. It's truthfully hypocritical nonsense. Stoudemire is our starting PF and now that we've A.) Signed Kenyon Martin and B.) Have (veteran) backup big men such as Kurt Thomas, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby? Amar'e Stoudemire will become our starting PF alongside Melo (SF) and Chandler (C) sooner, rather than later.

Our coaching staff along with Amar'e himself has been implementing Stoudemire back into the current mix of things. Allowing Amar'e an opportunity of getting familiar with his teammates while coming off the bench. Slowly but gradually becoming the Amar'e Stoudemire in which he's always been. Overall, he's getting his mind right for an up coming postseason push. The stress of the situation along with the heartbreak of losing your older brother would be hard for any man to focus on the game of basketball, let alone life. He's currently up to 22.8 minutes per game. Which is impressive now that he's been back for 25 games. Getting stronger as time goes on. Averaging 13.6 points and 4.8 boards per game off .581 shooting (second strongest single season FG percentage of his career). This man has been in the league for 11 years along with 10 years of starting experience while averaging no less than 31.3 minutes per game. 666 games played / 624 games started. The writing is one the wall, Stoudemire will emerge into our starting 5 while Shumpert (2G) and Melo (SF) slide back down to their natural position(s). Carmelo Anthony needs help against the likes of Wade, LeBron and Bosh; and Amar'e Stoudemire will provide our starting unit with another low post attacker/scorer.

Not only that in regards to being without Shumpert and Stoudemire for so long, but we we've also been without our number one backup Center in Marcus Camby. Who's missed 41 games due to injury. But who knows, Camby himself resting up during all of these games could end up becoming a blessing in disguise. Getting Marcus Camby back for a postseason push could become outstanding moving forward. Outside of trading for Raymond Felton in order to replace Jeremy Lin, extending J.R Smith for another season (or possibly two) along with extending Novak's contract; the addition of Marcus Camby was one of my favorite offseason moves. Also enjoyed the mental thoughts of including veterans such as Kidd, Kurt, Rasheed and Pablo, but landing Camby as our backup Center to Tyson Chandler really made me imagine the possibilities of our Knicks down low. And now we're on the verge of potentially returning Marcus Camby with a solid 27 games remaining before postseason play? Now it's time for our coaching staff to slowly and/or gradually implement Camby into our team-mix; as our number one backup Center.

This man, despite his age, has never once been an end of the bench type of big man. He's no Movgov to say the least. He gets minutes when he's performing on that basketball court. When healthy, which he's on the verge of a return, Camby is going to control the middle of the paint for New York. He'll contest shots. He won't back down with toughness down low. Rebounds very strong off the boards. An amazingly high I.Q down low. He's developed into a veteran role player who doesn't commit turnovers on the offensive end over the years. Can pass the ball well for a big man. Make the right decision. Can clean up off misses. You can take last season for example, before writing him off. Camby averaged 22.0 minutes per game along with 4.9 points (.446%), 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, 0.8 steals and only 1.0 turnovers per game. This is the type of production we've missed from our number one backup Center for 41 games now.

Without our starting PG for 12 games in Felton.
Without our starting 2G/SF for 37 games in Shumpert.
Without our starting SF/PF for 7 games in Carmelo.
Without our starting PF for 30 games in Stoudemire.
Without our backup Center in Camby for 41 games.
Without our backup PF in Rasheed for 35 games (only replaced by Kenyon Martin 3 games ago).

Kidd and Thomas have also missed a handful of games due to injury.

But yet, with all that said; we were still able to make it 55 games into the regular season as the number one seed of our Atlantic Division along with being a two seed of the Entire Eastern Conference behind only the Miami Heat (2011-2012 NBA Champions).

How's that for an injury related topic of discussion?

Our talent from top to bottom, overall, is very impressive. Veteran role players. Oh so important come postseason basketball in regards to veteran leadership/mental toughness. We have a boat load of veterans too. Felton, J.R, Melo, Stoudemire, Chandler, Kidd, Kenyon, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby and lastly; Pablo Prigioni. Even Steve Novak is developing into a veteran role playing shooter off the bench.

Then we have Iman Shumpert, a young perimeter defender in which we could potentially unleash come playoff basketball. He's really starting to get after it on defense, but still a ways to go. Exactly 27 games, a few practices and/or 47 days for Iman Shumper to continue to (hopefully) improve while becoming stronger all-around.

1st place of our Atlantic Division.
2nd seed of the entire Eastern Conference.
16 games above .500 at 36-20.
5 1/2 games back of the one seed Miami Heat.
With 26 games remaining including another H2H @ Miami.

That's what a win tomorrow afternoon gives us while potentially starting off 3-0 against Miami after 56 games into the regular season. I'll take it every time.

Who's to say that coach Woodson's plan hasn't been to A.) Slowly implement both Shumpert/Amar'e into the starting rotation while B.) Reserving veteran BIG's for our postseason push (for the most part) in regards to Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby and now Kenyon Martin? Either way, we've overcame a boat load of injuries thus far while putting ourselves in striking distance for a top two seed for the first time dating back to 1993-1994. 19 years and counting.

If they don't then it'll be a grind for the Knicks but they can still win if they do their usual and take care of the ball. That's another thing that goes under the radar. The Knicks take care of the ball and that means FAR fewer easy baskets for the Heat. The Heat are used to a ton of fastbreaks to augment their offense. The Knicks take that away with how they play.

nixluva wrote:It seems to me that the only real issue is whether the Knicks can have a good shooting day. If they're hitting their 3's then I fully expect a Knicks win. The Heat are fortunate that lately the Knicks have not been hitting as much. In Particular Kidd, Shump and Novack. It only takes one hot quarter to get it going. You can never know when that's going to happen. Eventually this team is gonna get hot again from 3.

If they don't then it'll be a grind for the Knicks but they can still win if they do their usual and take care of the ball. That's another thing that goes under the radar. The Knicks take care of the ball and that means FAR fewer easy baskets for the Heat. The Heat are used to a ton of fastbreaks to augment their offense. The Knicks take that away with how they play.

Great overall post. I also like how you take note while mentioning another aspect of basketball. The turnover game. And we win the battle of the turnovers more often than not.

Heat's Steals Per Game: 8.6 (5th).
Knicks Steals Per Game: 8.1 (13th).

Knicks Opponents Steals Per Game: 6.2 (1st).
Heat's Opponents Steals Per Game: 7.4 (5th).

Heat's Blocks Per Game: 5.0 (16th).
Knicks Blocks Per Game: 3.8 (30th).

Heat's Opponents Blocks Per Game: 3.3 (1st).
Knicks Opponents Blocks Per Game: 3.9 (2nd).

Knicks Turnovers Committed Per Game: 11.7 (1st).
Heat's Turnovers Committed Per Game: 13.2 (4th).

Heat's Opponents Turnovers Committed Per Game: 15.4 (7th).
Knicks Opponents Turnovers Committed Per Game: 14.9 (15th).

Knicks Turnover Differential: -3.2 (1st).
Heat's Turnover Differential: -2.2 (2nd).