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Knicks-Heat Game 5 History says this game critical to winning series
Posted: Wednesday May 17, 2000 03:37 PM
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!! Amid all the talk of Sprewell and Houston and Ewing and Mourning and Mashburn and Hardaway, Charlie Ward's name has not only rung from the rafters of Madison Square Garden, it's moved front and center in this best of seven series as the Knicks and Heat get ready for Game 5 tonight on TNT. Had it not been for Ward's solid play at the point, New York could have found itself in a 3-1 hole or worse. Obviously in the Miami thought process there were more pressing concerns going into this series, so they can be forgiven for not designing a defense to stop the Heisman winner. It's at a time like that when opportunity presents itself, and Ward has seized it. His 20 points in Game 4 included New York's last nine in an eight-point win. Heat rookie Anthony Carter called 'em "garbage points." Rookies. Pat Riley needs big-time stuff out of Alonzo Mourning and Jamal Mashburn tonight. Zo's been putting up decent numbers, except at the foul line. Mashburn has had his moments, but in a series that has featured stifling defense and poor shooting, points are at a premium. The Knicks are averaging 83 points a game, the Heat just under 81. ... the Knicks are shooting a shade over 40 percent and the Heat a shade under. Some fans may scoff at the teams that couldn't shoot straight, but at the same time, the games have been as competitive and hard-fought as you can get, and in the waning moments of each game, the outcome has been in doubt. I kinda like that from a viewer's standpoint. Game 5 between these two has always been electric in the past. Charlie Ward and PJ Brown tangling in '97 ... ZO and Ewing sitting in '98 after their scuffle in Game 4. ... Allan Houston's game winner last year. Can't wait to see what happens tonight, and here's a nugget to keep in mind as you watch: In NBA history there have been 2-2 deadlocks 100 times in best-of-seven series. The winner of Game 5 has won 84 of those series. I don't know who digs that stuff up, but I love it. See you tonight. Ernie Johnson is in his 10th year as the studio host for TNT and TBS Superstation's NBA telecasts, as well as TNT's live coverage of the NBA Draft every June.
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