NBA PLAYOFFS - Knicks can't stand the Heat, go down 0-2
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 May 2012
IT'S official. The Knicks can't stand the Heat.
Two days after their 100-67 spanking at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, the No. 7 seed New York Knicks faltered again Monday night, this time a 104-94 beating that gave No.2 ranked Miami a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-7 opening round series.
The Knicks are two games away from elimination and there's no mystery to that. The Heat is playing at a higher level. They have far superior offense, a stifling defense designed to give Knicks' shooters fits, plus a deeper, more experienced bench.
And with the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at the helm, the wealth of Miami's talent is dazzling.
The weight of all that might fell hard on the Knicks Monday as the Heat shot 38-of-73 field goals (52.1 percent) and 9-of-21 threes (42.9 percent). The Heat also bombarded New York with 50 points in the paint and they relentlessly attacked the basket, yielding 27 trips to the free throw line (19 made).
The Knicks did well rebounding the ball, outworking the Heat 40-33 off the boards, but New York's offense sputtered with a high 13 turnovers and a low 15 assists. The Heat's offense, meanwhile, went smoothly with 28 assists against only eight turnovers.
Dwyane Wade led Miami's onslaught with 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting, highlighted by fearless forays to the hoops. Chris Bosh was quietly effecient with 21 points while LeBron was a sight to behold with an all-around effort of 19 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
Mario Chalmers added 13 points and six assists for Miami while Mike Miller and Shane Battier finished with 11 points off the bench, combining for 6-of-10 from 3-point range.
Carmelo Anthony had 30 points for the Knicks, who shot 38-of-77 from the field (49.4 percent), 5-of-15 from 3-point land and 13-of-19 free throws (68.4 percent).
Game 3 of this series resumes Thursday night at the Madison Square Garden in New York, where the Knicks hope to reverse their fortune.
"It is still a seven-game series," said Knicks head coach Mike Woodson. "You have to win four to get out of it. They (Miami) held serve at home. We want to win and to get out of this series we have to win here." (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
Fri, 27 Jun 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 26 Jun 2025PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
Wed, 25 Jun 2025