CLEVELAND — Tyson Chandler isn’t afraid of the Heat.
Despite the Knicks’ 0-3 record against the Heat in the regular season, Chandler feels coaching adjustments can be made in the game plan if they meet again a week from Sunday in Miami for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
The Knicks center is something of an expert on what it takes to beat this Heat club in the playoffs, as he anchored a Mavericks defense that wiped out LeBron James’ squad in The Finals last June. If the standings don’t change, it’s Knicks-Heat — the series the nation wants to see. If the Knicks fall from the seventh to eighth seed they could face the Bulls, who currently own the East’s best record.
“I’m OK with it,’’ Chandler said of facing Miami. “They’ve beaten us obviously every game. I don’t feel we necessarily made the adjustment to that team. That’s a team you have to make adjustments and have to make them pay for how aggressive they are [defensively]. We haven’t done that yet. We have to be willing if that’s the matchup to break down tape, focus in and see where we can beat them.’’
None of their three losses to Miami was decided in the final minutes. Though the Knicks were up four with 8:04 left Sunday at the Garden, Miami pulled away down the stretch for a 93-85 triumph. The Heat won the two games in Miami by scores of 99-89 and 102-88. Mike D’Antoni was head coach for both road games.
“I feel great the way we’re playing right now,’’ Chandler said. “With the way Melo’s playing and all our role players. All our role players are playing well. It’s not so much the key guys going into the playoffs. It’s how everyone else is doing on the team. Are they confident? Will they take a shot when the ball is swung around to them? Those are things that win games.’’
The Knicks lead the Sixers for the seventh seed by one game and own the tiebreaker. The Knicks were eliminated from Atlantic Division contention Wednesday night and remain a long shot to move up to No. 6. They trail Orlando by three games but own the tiebreaker with four to play.
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An internet report Thursday stated J.R. Smith would test free agency, but that was obvious from the get-go. Smith signed a one-year deal in February with a player option for next season worth only the mini-mid-level exception of $2.5 million. It was an upset Smith signed for that amount after his father said in February the Knicks would not be in the picture because they did not have the means to get him.
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Chandler has become a virtual lock to make the U.S. Olympic Team in the wake of Dwight Howard’s season-ending back surgery that will prevent him from playing in London. The Post reported Wednesday Chandler was the favorite in the wake of LaMarcus Aldridge’s hip surgery.
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If the Knicks give their $5 million mid-level exception to point guard Jeremy Lin, keeping Smith or Steve Novak will be difficult, considering how their market value and play have gone up on the Broadway stage. The Knicks only would have their smaller exception of $2 million to re-sign either.
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Baron Davis is expected to play Friday night after missing Wednesday’s game in Newark with a stomach virus.