TAKING A TEMPERATURE: Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks look to shoot over and past the Heat — who list stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as questionable — in a big test of their winning streak tonight in Miami. (Neil Miller)
TAKING A TEMPERATURE: Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks look to shoot over and past the Heat — who list stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as questionable — in a big test of their winning streak tonight in Miami. (
)
MIAMI — The Eastern Conference Finals do not begin until May 20, so tonight’s Knicks-Heat clash will have to do as a potential preview.
The raging-hot Knicks have won eight straight games, their longest streak of the Carmelo Anthony Era. They carry that streak into AmericanAirlines Arena tonight for the last South Beach showdown of the season against the Heat before the conference rivals potentially engage deep in the playoffs.
There’s no historic Heat winning streak on the line — their 27-game surge was interrupted last week — but there’s plenty of intrigue, anticipation and a chance for the Knicks (46-26) to win the season series, 3-1.
“We can’t keep putting that pressure on us, saying this game or that game is a measuring stick,’’ Anthony said. “For us, we’re doing what we’re doing, playing extremely good basketball and they’re coming off a hell of a streak. We’re going out there trying to win a basketball game. It’s not about measuring ourselves against them.’’
It would be hard to fathom Heat president Pat Riley resting LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in front of the home fans as the Heat did Sunday in San Antonio as a bit of payback for a November incident, when the Spurs did not use their best players in Miami. But the Heat yesterday listed James (strained right hamstring) and Wade (sprained ankle) as day-to-day. Starting point guard Mario Chalmers also sat out the Spurs game with a sprained ankle.
If the three Heat starters do not play, it may be because Riley realizes the Knicks stand to gain more from a legitimate victory and it may be best to save the varsity for May.
“You definitely want to see them at full strength, so there’s not a built-in excuse,” Steve Novak said.
“If guys play, it’s cool,’’ Anthony said. “If they don’t, it’s cool.”
The Knicks are fighting the Pacers for the second seed in the Eastern Conference behind Miami (58-15). If they finish second, it would give the Knicks homecourt in an expected second-round clash against Indiana, with the winner getting the Heat if the playoffs go according to form.
The Knicks beat the Heat in the first two meetings this season, once in November and once in December, each by 20 points. After an extended mediocre stretch, the Knicks regained their mojo in mid-March. They look dangerous again, improved from the squad that squandered a 16-point lead to the Heat at the Garden on March 3.
In the wake of starting center Tyson Chandler’s neck injury, Kenyon Martin and Pablo Prigioni were inserted into the starting lineup. The new fivesome is 8-0. Chandler participated in a light informal workout yesterday, and the club will make a determination on his status for tonight at today’s morning shootaround. The club officially listed him as questionable. If he returns, Martin likely goes back to the bench.
“We started believing in ourselves again,’’ Anthony said. “Every season you hit walls, hit hurdles and you lose momentum a little. And you have to find ways to get that back. We are finding ways to get that back.’’
J.R. Smith, who struggled against the Heat in last season’s playoffs and in this season’s first three meetings, was named Player of the Week yesterday for his three straight 30-point outings. He has reestablished himself as the Knicks’ bona fide secondary scorer to Anthony after adding a rim-attacking component to his array of jump shots.
Iman Shumpert, the designated Wade defensive stopper, looks better every game, with more bounce, spirit and confidence. The last time Shumpert set foot on the Heat’s home floor, in Game 1 of the conference quarterfinals last April 28, he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
“I try not to think about it,’’ Shumpert said. “I’ve been dreading it for a long time. I don’t even like being in Miami since then.’’
Five of the Knicks’ opponents during the eight-game winning streak are lottery-bound. Still, the stats are good: They are averaging 104 points on 49.5 percent shooting and allowing just 91.5 points in that span.
“We have to continue the way we’ve been playing,’’ Raymond Felton said. “They’re the defending champs. They’re the team to beat. They have the best record in the league right now. They’re the best team right now. They play well together, know each other. Everybody has their roles. But we feel we’re playing at the same high level.’’
“We’re going down there to get a win,’’ said Martin, who will play with a minor abdominal strain. “We’re not just going down to play.”