Miami Heat @ NY Knicks – NBA 

It’s another NBA night, with the New York Knicks facing the Miami Heat. Two teams that have different ambitions, but might provide a great basketball game. Two teams that are in very good shape and so, it’s expected to be an exciting match. The favouritism is given to the Miami team, which is natural, but I think that the New York team is capable to discuss the game with the Heat.

The New York Knicks are, at this moment, well underway to access the playoffs, with a record of 16 wins and 10 losses. This team is in great shape, winning 8 games in a row, before the defeat against the Boston Celtics by 118-116. The Knicks have discussed the game until the end, but a basket from Paul Pierce in the last second, ruined everything (threw it all way). The key players for the team were once again Amar’e Stoudemire, with 39 points and 10 rebounds, and Raymond Felton, with 26 points and 16 assists. After facing one of the best teams in the league, tonight they will face another title contender. It will be, for sure, a very tough game against a team that has great players. Will be very important to defend well, trying to minimize the offensive actions, in a particular way, of Wade and Lebron James, the main offensive players for Miami. In the offensive way, I expect another big night for Stoudemire, which has been playing at the highest level. In my opinion, there are no Miami Heat players capable to stop the Knicks’s center and I think that the New York Knicks can take big advantage of this. Despite not having a group with team spirit, the true is that the Knicks might have more weapons to score and I think that it may also be important. I believe that it’s going to be a tough game for the Knicks, but I think if they can play at the same level that they have been playing, they have here an opportunity to achieve a huge win. The only absences for this match are Kelenna Azubuike and Eddy Curry, whom are already injured for a long time.

New York Knicks Starting Line-up: Raymond Felton, Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari e Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Miami Heat have confirmed in recent games that they are one of the title contenders and they have at this moment a record of 19 wins and 8 losses. The Heat are on a winning streak of 10 games, after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the last home match, by 101-95. It wasn’t a game as easy as expected, but in the end the added value of Miami players prevailed. The key players for the team were Dwyane Wade, with 28 points, and Lebron James, who obtained a double-double (21 points and 13 rebounds). Tonight they will not have an easy game, because they will play at the pavilion of a team that is in great shape also. Despite being favorites and being on a great winning streak, the true is that most of the wins were against weaker teams and so they must be careful in this game. I expect some difficulties on defense, particularly to stop Stoudemire, a beast on the inside game, which blends very well with Raymond Felton. Miami will have to know how to contain the Knicks’ players, or they risk suffering a disappointment. On the offensive edge it will be, once again, Wade and Lebron, and it is them who are expected more. The only absence tonight is Mike Miller, who is injured for a long time.

Miami Heat Starting Line-up: Carlos Arroyo, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh e Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Conclusion: I expect a great game, full of emotions and with many points. Face to face two teams that like to attack and they have excellent players. The Knicks are in the best shape of the season and they are trying to continue the streak. Stoudemire has been in a phenomenal level, helping a lot his team, which in the last match showed is capable to discuss the games against the better teams. On the other side will be the Miami Heat, led by their Big-Three, which are in great shape too. It will be a balanced game in my opinion, which can be decided on the details. I think the winner will be whoever be able to defend better and I think that will be a great basketball game. The Heat, by all the factors that surround them, are the favorites, but I think that the Knicks team is capable to win due the aspects that I mentioned, and supported by their fans, they can achieve a huge win. So, I will bet on the win of the New York Knicks.