Getting used to life without Dwyane Wade isn’t something the Miami Heat wanted to deal with – but they’ve done so remarkably well, this according to SportsOptions.com. Now they get a chance to add to New York’s growing misery on Friday night as they host the struggling Knicks.
New York at Miami (-11, 195.5)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 27, 2012
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
THE STORY: Miami improved to 5-1 without its superstar shooting guard with a 101-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons in a game that saw the Heat nearly squander a 10-point fourth-quarter advantage. LeBron James had 32 points while Chris Bosh added 27 in the triumph. Bosh has been the biggest beneficiary in Wade’s absence, stepping up to average 26.7 points over his last six games. The Knicks continue to spiral out of playoff contention, having lost seven of their last eight games to fall four games below the .500 mark. They’re coming off a 91-81 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, capping an early-season slump that has star forward Carmelo Anthony perplexed. “I can’t really put my finger on it right now,” Anthony said. “I can’t figure it out.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, SUN
ABOUT THE KNICKS (7-11): While New York remains very much in the hunt for a postseason berth – the team sits ninth in the East, a half-game out of the top eight – its play of late suggests the club is a long way from making noise in the playoffs. The Knicks went 0-4 on their most recent homestand, inciting boos from a Madison Square Garden crowd that expected more out of a team that traded away several young players to acquire Anthony at last year’s trade deadline.
ABOUT THE HEAT (13-5): Wade may return Friday after missing the previous six games with an ankle injury. The early part of the season has been an exercise in frustration for the 30-year-old, who has been limited to just nine games so far after dealing with a foot injury prior to hurting his ankle. He reportedly looked good enough to play against Detroit, but was held out as a precaution. Wade is averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds on the season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split four meetings last season, with the Knicks winning the final two encounters.
2. James averages 27.9 points, seven rebounds and 6.9 assists in 27 career games against New York.
PREDICTION: Heat 101, Knicks 95.
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