The Heat probably have nightmares of Knicks center Tyson Chandler scowling in the fourth quarter after another blocked shot. Chandler became the defensive key to Dallas beating Miami in last June’s NBA Finals.
But yesterday was a different fourth-quarter vision of Chandler, wincing and limping after banging his left knee with Heat center Joel Anthony. The play occurred in the third quarter on a Chandler drive with 1:43 left and he was never the same.
Chandler still played eight minutes of the fourth but seemed almost useless, inactive on defense and slow to the boards — hobbling about. That was not the same Chandler, the one who may win Defensive Player of the Year this season.
“I really couldn’t move when I got out there,’’ said Chandler, who scored nine points but had just five rebounds and no blocks in 31 minutes. “I didn’t have too much strength in it. Moving laterally and trying to get up on ball screens was difficult.’’
Chandler said he expects to play tomorrow when they host Boston in their last chance of challenging for the Atlantic Division title. Chandler claimed no tests are slated, though Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson cancelled practice because of the injuries.
“I should be fine,’’ Chandler said. “It’s really sore right now. It’s hard to judge fresh of the game. I think I’ll be OK. It was just a bad collision.’’
Chandler wasn’t big on the boards before the injury either and the Knicks were outboarded 47-33 by the undersized Heat.
“That’s not a team that should necessarily outrebound you,’’ Chandler said.
Joel Anthony picked up a foul on the Chandler drive but the Knicks center, looking imbalanced, missed both free throws. He was 1 of 4 from the line — all coming after the injury.
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Woodson was blunt about the Knicks leisurely running the offense. The Knicks shot 42.5 percent.
“When the game’s on the line like that you’ve got to get some movement and we didn’t do that,’’ Woodson said. “It comes down to every possession. We couldn’t get the stop on the other end and they go up three. Then we come down and kind of half-assed go through our offense again.”
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Steve Novak didn’t light up the team as has been his custom, going 2 of 5 from 3-point range for 6 points. In 22 minutes. He missed his first three shots. … The Knicks defended well for the first 3 ½ quarters. Dwyane Wade said on the difference under Woodson: “He’s put a defensive mindset in those guys, and they’ve got some good defenders, some athletic guys. So defensively, they’ve turned it up. Offensively, they’ve always been a tough team because they spread the floor and have guys that can make shots. But defensively, they’ve gotten better.’’ … Yesterday was Anthony’s second 40-point game since joining the Knicks. The other was just last Sunday against Chicago when he scored 43.