The New York Knicks, now counting Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups among their ranks, experienced a bit of an embarrassment on Friday in Cleveland. It won't get any easier for this unfamiliar bunch, as they face one of the league's best defenses in Miami. The Heat will face the Knicks for the fourth time this season, carrying a 2-1 series edge into their final meeting. New York actually won the teams' last match-up in January, executing rather poorly on offense but limiting the Heat to outside shots and letting them beat themselves.
This time around, Mike D'Antoni will have some interesting choices to make with regards to Miami's "Big Three". Amar'e Stoudemire will likely match up with Chris Bosh and Landry Fields will have Dwyane Wade to cover, but D'Antoni lost his two of his men most equipped to defend LeBron James (Danilo Gallinari and Shawne Williams) in last week's blockbuster trade. Anthony will likely be given the James assignment, but Shawne Williams and newcomer (again) Renaldo Balkman should see some minutes against him as well. New York will also need to step up their interior presence quite a bit against a Miami team that boasts several individuals over seven feet.
Tip-off is at 8 PM on MSG and ESPN. See Posting and Toasting for more Knicks coverage.