On Sunday, the New York Knicks appeared on their way to a third and telling victory over the Miami Heat this season.
The Knicks had a 14-point halftime lead. The Heat’s 13-game winning streak was in serious jeopardy. And a third loss to New York would have more than a few folks wondering if Miami could get out of the Eastern Conference and repeat as NBA champions.
But the Heat turned things around in the second half and rallied for a 99-93 victory. What changed?
Well, LeBron James, who has left us in awe with his offensive efficiency this season, reminded us that he also plays defense as he helped limit NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony to eight points in the second half.
And Knicks coach Mike Woodson inexplicably sat Amar’s Stoudemire for the final eight minutes. Stoudemire’s absence led to a stalled offense and repeated breakdowns resulting in bad shots or turnovers.
Woodson gets the blame for Sunday’s loss, as I addressed in this column and again in the video below.
In my segment with Cinesport’s Noah Coslov, I also talk about whom the Lakers may catch for a playoff spot in the West and the jockeying at the bottom of the East playoff bracket, where no one wants to finish eighth and get the Heat in the first round.
Click on the box to give a listen.