The New York Knicks and Miami Heat will begin their seven-game series on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC), and as of Thursday both teams were going into the first-round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a healthy roster. Things changed for the Knicks on Friday, as reports have New York center Tyson Chandler is sick and possibly out for Game 1.
Last Sunday, Chandler was given a night off to rest and the Knicks were able to squeak out a 113-112 victory at the Atlanta Hawks. However, in that contest it was New York's offense, including 39 points form Carmelo Anthony -- who actually believes Chandler will play Saturday -- that carried the team to a win.
If the Knicks want to contend with the No. 2-seeded Heat, they will need Tyson's defense inside to help defend against center/forward Chris Bosh and the dribble-drive of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.
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