Knicks at Heat
THE STORY: One game in, and it looks like any optimism the New York Knicks had about stealing a first-round series from the Miami Heat has been wiped away. Not only were the seventh-seeded Knicks thoroughly dismantled in a 100-67 Game 1 loss, they also lost their perimeter defensive stopper when Iman Shumpert went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The second-seeded Heat showed off their defensive prowess in Game 1, forcing 27 turnovers.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT, SUN (Miami), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE KNICKS: New York came into the series with some confidence due to the way it finished the regular season. Carmelo Anthony was especially strong in April, averaging just under 30 points. With Anthony at a superstar level, Amar'e Stoudemire rounding back into shape and Shumpert and Tyson Chandler anchoring the defense, the Knicks at least expected to be competitive. But Anthony shot 3 for 15 and Chandler and Shumpert were each held scoreless in the opener. Baron Davis, who missed the first half of the regular season after back surgery, was limited to 17 minutes after experiencing stiffness in his back. New York ended up shooting 35.7 percent from the floor, with J.R. Smith the only player managing more than 11 points.
ABOUT THE HEAT: Miami put it away early on Saturday, outscoring the Knicks 57-29 in the second and third quarters to coast to the finish. LeBron James handled the bulk of the scoring in the first half and finished with 32 points on 10-of-14 shooting. But his most significant contribution may have come as one of the several players swarming Anthony and forcing him to catch the ball further away from the basket. The Heat scored 24 of the final 26 points in the second quarter and scored a franchise record 38 points off turnovers en route to the punishing win.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Knicks have lost 11 straight playoff games dating back to 2001. It matches the second-longest streak in NBA history behind Memphis’ 12-game skid from 2004-06.
2. James has scored 30 or more points in 41 of his 93 career playoff games.
3. New York’s 67 points Saturday matched a franchise playoff low.