Knicks vs. Heat: Matchups to Watch in Tonight's Blockbuster Showdown

The final set of NBA games before the All-Star break takes place tonight, and there is none bigger on the slate than the much-anticipated matchup of the New York Knicks and Miami Heat.

Linsanity invades South Beach, and the hype will be huge for this one.

All eyes will be on Jeremy Lin and LeBron James, but there is so much more to this game than the two basketball enigmas. 

This is a bitter rivalry that dates back to the 90's, and both teams will bring it from the opening tip.

Here are four matchups to keep an eye on in tonight's blockbuster showdown.

Jeremy Lin vs LeBron James

This isn't the primary matchup for either guy, but it's the one that casual fans want to see.

There will be times tonight James will be checking Lin, and it will be interesting to see how it goes.

Though he has five inches and a decisive strength advantage on Lin, it remains to be seen how James will try to slow him down. 

That just doesn't just go for LeBron, but the guards that will be hawking him most of the night.

Lin needs to penetrate and create, and most importantly, take care of the basketball.

The Heat need to keep Lin out of the paint and force him to turn the ball over so they can get out in transition, where they are deadly.

Whoever gets their way will go a long way in determining tonight's winner.

Amar'e Stoudemire vs. Chris Bosh

With all of the attention that's going to be paid to Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, it could be the big men that play the biggest role.

The Knicks need to run their offense through Amar'e Stoudemire more often. He's a great pick-and-roll big man, but New York doesn't go to him much in that environment.

Stoudemire has turned into a jump shooter and a guy who's going to put the ball on the deck to try and get to the rim. New York will be more effective tonight trying to run things through Stoudemire.

As for Bosh, the Heat lead the NBA in field-goal percentage (.488) mostly because they get a lot of quality shots in the paint.

Miami needs to get the ball deep to the likes of Bosh and James and let them work on the block, trying to get Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler in foul trouble in the process.

New York, on the other hand, would be better served trying to turn both guys into jump shooters.

Carmelo Anthony vs. LeBron James

The matchup of the two best superstars on either team could go a long way in determining a winner.

While LeBron could be the league's first-half MVP, Carmelo has been a big disappointment. 

That's all in the rearview mirror, though, if Anthony can head into the All-Star break with a big-time performance.

He looked better adjusting to the Knicks offense last night against Atlanta and will have every opportunity to play a big role in this one as well. 

James will try to turn Anthony into a jump shooter and keep him from attacking the rim. Carmelo will try and do the same exact thing to LeBron. 

It could come down to the fourth quarter.

If it's a tight game, will the Knicks lean on Anthony to bring home a win. On the same token, James will be relied on for a big fourth-quarter performance. But will he be able to silence his critics in a tight game and against a good team?

So many storylines. It's going to be a fun one to watch.

Bench vs. Bench

In a game filled with star matchups, it's likely going to come down to which role players step up. 

For the Knicks, Steve Novak, Baron Davis, J.R Smith and Jared Jeffries must be productive and not allow things to get out of hand while the starters get rest.

For Miami, guys like Shane Battier, Norris Cole, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller could ultimately determine who wins.

Whichever second unit makes the most of their opportunities is going to give their team an edge.

Also keep an eye on starters Mario Chalmers and Landry Fields, who need to knock down open looks when they get them. And they will get them.