The New York Knicks are on top of the Miami Heat, 40-36, at halftime in Game 3 of their first-round 2012 NBA Playoff series. Defense has ruled the night so far, as both teams are shooting less that 40 percent from the field through 24 minutes.
If not for exceptional performances from the line both teams (both are 10-for-11 from the stripe) this game could be much uglier. LeBron James leads all players in scoring with 12 points, but eight of them have come from 8-of-9 shooting from the line. He is just 2-for-7 from the field.
For the Knicks, Landry Field has made up for his sloppy Game 2 by starting the game off 3-for-3 to lead New York with nine points. Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith contributed eight points each, but went 4-for-13 and 3-for-11, respectively, to get there.
Still, a lead is a lead no matter how ugly. If the Knicks can continue to play solid defense and maintain their advantage on the boards (21-to-17 in the first half) they just may be able to pull off the upset with Amar'e Stoudemire out of the lineup.
For more on the Knicks playoff basketball, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Meanwhile, the SB Nation blog Posting and Toasting is all about Knicks basketball. NBA Playoff schedule and updates can be found here at SBNation.com.