MIAMI — Landry Fields clapped his hands after the Heat were called for a 24-second clock violation early in Saturday’s second quarter. Part of that was because of his defense on Dwyane Wade.
In Game 1’s disastrous loss, Fields was one of the Knicks’ brighter spots — especially considering how miserable his postseason performance was last year. In four games versus the Celtics, Fields’ numbers were horrific — he shot 3-for-15 from the field, 0-for-4 from three and 1-for-6 from the free throw line en route to a series total of seven points.
On Saturday, Fields fared a lot better. He sank four of his seven shots, scoring eight points in 17-plus minutes. And he seemed to be more at ease than he was last year.
“I think I just feel more comfortable,” Fields said yesterday. “Knowing what to expect and the level of intensity [you have] to play at.”
Due to Iman Shumpert’s torn ACL, Fields’ role is almost certainly going to expand beginning tonight in Game 2. Yesterday interim coach Mike Woodson insisted he wasn’t sure who would replace Shumpert in the starting lineup. The candidates figure to be Fields or J.R. Smith, and odds are Fields will get the nod.
“Landry understands he has to come and play [tonight],” Carmelo Anthony said. “He has [to] come and play this series filling in those shoes for Shumpert. Everyone knows what he brings defensively. His mentality and energy he brings. Landry filling those shoes, he is going to have to do that.”
Fields had a disappointing season, with his scoring, shooting and rebounding all down from his rookie campaign (his steals and assists were both up). And since he’s a free agent this summer, it’s not a certainty he will be back. Shumpert’s injury, though, could boost those chances because Shumpert might miss the season’s first couple of months.
Not only was Fields’ Game 1 effort encouraging, but Smith was also impressive in his Knicks playoff debut. The sixth man paced the team with 17 points, hitting 7-of-17 from the floor. If the Knicks again get a cumulative 25 points from Fields and Smith in Game 2, it would be an immeasurable help.
“We have enough depth, with Landry and with J.R. Smith, even [Mike Bibby], Toney Douglas,” Baron Davis said. “We may see two point guards out there at the same time. We have a lot of depth at the wing position and that gives us the luxury to be able to substitute for someone as good as Iman.”
— Additional reporting by Marc Berman