It looked like a repeat of Games 1 and 2 as the Heat pulled out to an early dunk-fueled seven-point lead. But then the Knicks did something they’ve had trouble doing all series: They ratcheted up the intensity on both ends of the floor and neutralized the Heat’s superstars, jumping out to a lead that got as large as 11 points. A 7-0 run allowed the Heat to cut it to four at the break.
Knicks vs. Heat, Halftime Update: Resurgent Knicks Lead Heat, 40-36
What's guiding the Knicks isn't what you'd expect: It's not a Carmelo Anthony shooting fest -- he has eight -- it's been the Knicks' typically shaky role players. The unit that saw the Knicks' most effective play featured Mike Bibby, Jared Jeffries, Josh Harrellson, Landry Fields and J.R. Smith. That sound you hear is the jaw of every New York fan in the world drilling through their floor and breaking through into the earth's magma core. But that crew -- as well as a Madison Square Garden crowd that sounds like it wants its team to win a playoff game for the first time since before the Isiah Thomas era -- had LeBron James and Dwyane Wade looking kind of flustered defensively (then again, it could just be the guy in the Delonte West jersey).
For news and analysis on these two teams, check out Heat outpost Peninsula Is Mightier,Knicks blog Posting And Toasting, and SB Nation New York.
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