| Marty Burns' Breakdown |
|---|
| Miami |
|
New York |
| Despite what Patrick Ewing says, Heat center Alonzo Mourning is the premier big man in the East. He scores, rebounds, defends and was the NBA's top shot-blocker (3.72 bpg) during the season. However, the super-intense Zo often seems to lack his usual fire against his close pal and mentor Ewing. |
CENTER The Edge:
 |
Patrick Ewing is old and creaky, but proved in the first round that he can still be a big playoff factor (14.6 points, 10.8 rebounds). He knows all of
Mourning's moves and seems to raise his game a notch against him. After 15 years in the NBA, he also gets a little leeway from the refs.
|
|
| In P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn, the Heat have a frontcourt that can match up with any team. But while Brown has been his usual solid self against New York, Mashburn has often been a ghost. In 17 playoff games against the
Knicks, the New York City native has averaged just 8.4 points on 34% shooting. He'll have a hard time breaking out against Latrell Sprewell, especially if he's asked to play point
forward. |
FORWARDS The Edge:
 | After hounding Vince Carter into a sub-par playoff performance, Sprewell's confidence should be soaring. He won't get as much double team help this series, but should do O.K. as long as he keeps the taller Mashburn out of
the low post. Larry Johnson is a good defender who can still draw a double team and knock down the open three-pointer. Just ask the Raptors and Pacers. |
|
| Though not as explosive as he once was, point guard Tim Hardaway is still one of the game's most dangerous playmakers and a bonafide Knick killer.
However, Tiny Tim sat out all of Miami's first-round playoff sweep of the
Pistons with an ankle injury and it remains to be seen how well he'll perform in
this series. Dan Majerle is a solid defender at shooting guard, but his offense
is
spotty. |
GUARDS The Edge:
|
With Sprewell tied up trying to contain Mashburn, it's imperative that
Allan Houston provide consistent scoring for New York. Houston must attack the
basket and look for his shot against Majerle, otherwise thw ball is liable to
fall into Ewing's hands. Charlie Ward is no Hardaway, but his experience gives
him the edge over Hardaway's rookie replacement, Anthony
Carter. |
|
| Carter is terrific in transition, but not nearly as effective in the half
court, where this series figures to be decided. Clarence Weatherspoon and Otis
Thorpe provide muscle inside but not much else. Swingman Bruce Bowen, a good
defender who can make long shots, could be a key
factor. |
BENCH The Edge:
|
Forward Marcus Camby is a matchup nightmare who killed the Heat last
year with his quickness and shot-blocking. Look for him to make a big impact
again this year. Reserve point guard Chris Childs will give Carter all he can
handle, while Kurt Thomas loves banging inside against his former
team. |
|
| After being embarrassed by the Knicks in first-round ousters the past two
seasons, the Heat are desperate to gain revenge against their hated rivals. The
fact that they are underdogs despite winning the Atlantic Division only adds
fuel to their fire. Meanwhile, they own a distinct home court advantage at
American Airlines
Arena. |
INTANGIBLES The Edge:
|
The Knicks are playing their best basketball of the season and they
know it. Their confidence is high and they no longer fear Pat Riley and his
Miami troops -- especially if they're without a healthy Hardaway. Having won
Game 5 in Miami last year, they also know they can win on the
road. |
|
| Pat Riley wasted no time starting the mind games, putting a gag order on
the Heat regarding any media queries about injuries or bad blood between the
teams. This is one Riley wants very badly, and he'll find a way to make it
competitive -- even if Hardaway can't go at full strength.
|
COACH The Edge:
|
Jeff Van Gundy has managed to get the better of his former mentor each
of the past two years. He seems to have a good feel for Miami's personnel and
schemes, and seldom gets outcoached. If he can avoid the temptation to run
sprint on the floor and grab Alonzo Mourning's leg, he should be
fine. |
|
| If Hardaway's injured ankle or sore knees limit his ability to run the
floor and attack the basket, the Heat will have a difficult time. But if he
makes a miracle recovery, his team will get a huge inspirational
lift. |
'X' FACTOR The Edge:
|
The Knicks have some players with volatile tempers, most notably
Thomas and Childs. If they allow the Heat to goad them into a fight or get them
off their game in any way, they could play right into Miami's
hands. |
| Burns' Prediction: Knicks in 6 |
|---|
| |
