The last time Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks (13-4) faced LeBron James and the Miami Heat (12-4), Anthony put on a clinic with a 30-point torching of the Heat's defense in an emotional 104-84 home win for New York on Nov. 2 to open the season.
One month later, the Knicks are at the forefront with not only the best record in the Atlantic Division, but the entire Eastern Conference. And breathing down their necks at only a half-game behind for eastern dominance, is...you guessed it...the Heat.
Now, the stage is set for their much-awaited rematch as the Knicks visit the American Airlines Arena tonight at 8 p.m. to play King James and the defending world champion Heat.
However, the word on Anthony, ranked third in the league in scoring with 26.4 points per game, is that he is questionable for tonight's game after he sustained a cut on his left middle finger in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's game against the Bobcats.
Anthony told ESPN that he isn't sure whether he will play Thursday in Miami, which would be a huge blow for the Knicks.
"Right now, it's numb, so I don't know," he said.
Meanwhile, Miami, who have won seven of their last 10, is looking to erase the sting of an embarrassing 105-101 Tuesday loss to the Washington Wizards (2-13).
Here's a look at some of the key match-ups heading into tonight's game:
Center: Tyson Chandler, Knicks vs. Chris Bosh, Heat:
Chandler put up a strong showing in the Knicks' thrilling 100-98 win over the Bobcats Wednesday, scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. The heart and soul of the Knicks defense, Chandler, who has put up 12.5 points and 9.4 rebounds this season, has been more productive on the offensive end lately, averaging 18 points in the last five games, including a 28-point showing against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 26.
But New York is going to need the NBA's 2011-12 Defensive Player of the Year to bring his defensive "A-game" tonight against Bosh, who has averaged 19.3 points his season, including a 20-point, 12-rebound night against the Wizards.
Advantage: Even
Power Forward: Carmelo Anthony vs. Shane Battier
Right off the bat, there are a few question marks with this match-up. First, Anthony, who has been playing like an MVP this season with 26.4 points netted on average every game, is not even sure if he will be able to play tonight.
If so, that would leave the aging, but defensively savvy Kurt Thomas and the athletic, yet volatile Rasheed Wallace to contend with Battier, who doesn't score much (7.0 points this season) but is a solid defender with a steady jump-shot who can kill a team if he gets hot.
Second, even if Anthony, one of the most explosive offensive players in the game, does play, don't expect Battier to be on him too long, as we could see a dream match-up of James guarding Anthony in a one-on-one match-up that could define the game. Whether or not these scenarios come to pass, we'll know by game time.
Advantage: About even?
Small Forward: Ronnie Brewer, Knicks vs. LeBron James, Heat:
Part of you has to feel for Ronnie Brewer tonight. He's a great defender--some say he might be on par with Chandler, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. But against LeBron James?
Against the league's current MVP, (averaging 24.8 points this season) who is no doubt motivated after coming off a humiliating loss to the lowly Wizards and always brings his best game against the league's top contenders? It's almost unfair.
Look for James to use his size, speed and overall explosiveness to his advantage. Brewer is going to have a tough go of it trying to contain James, but if he can somehow limit the amount of chances James has to drive to the lane and can at least contest him on the outside on every play, Brewer might have a shot. Look for Brewer to have help on occasion from Chandler, but on a Miami team this deep, that could leave other weapons open.
Advantage: Heat
Shooting Guard: J.R. Smith, Knicks vs. Dwayne Wade, Heat:
With Jason Kidd still out on injury, the burden of stopping Wade falls to Smith. A streaky scorer, Smith, who averages 13.5 points a night off the bench, has been making his case for the Sixth Man of the Year award. However, while his defense has moderately improved, he is still prone to making head-scratching defensive blunders that have coach Mike Woodson fuming on the sidelines.
That's not a promising sign when he goes up against Wade, even though the Heat's longtime star has been struggling with knee issues this season. Yet even with the loss of the spring in his step, Wade, averaging 19.8 points this season, is still dangerous on the offense, having scored a combined 58 points against the Nets and the Wizards in the last two games.
This match-up could very well determine the game.
Advantage: Heat
Point Guard: Raymond Felton vs. Mario Chalmers:
There must be something about New York for Raymond Felton.
Felton has really stepped it up this season. Coming off a flat season in Portland, the seven-year veteran has been on a tear since resigning with the Knicks, averaging 15.2 points and 6.9 assists this season. Having scored an average of 20 points in New York's back-to-back wins against Phoenix and Charlotte this week, Felton has emerged as the point guard that the Knicks have needed.
By comparison, Chalmers have been a faint reflection of his usual steady self on the Heat, and he isn't much of an offensive threat with 6.4 points on the season. He's coming off a dreadful game against Washington, where he scored no points and took only two shots. However, Chalmers has faired better on offense at home--which is where Miami will play tonight--having scored 62 points in eight home games for Miami. If this sleeper awakens, it could be bad news for the Knicks.
Advantage: Knicks
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