Knicks vs. Heat: LeBron James Must Be True Superstar and Defend Jeremy Lin

The American Airlines Arena will be buzzing tonight when Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks look to continue Linsanity as the Knicks take on the Miami Heat.

In a battle of true superstars, LeBron James and Lin won't necessarily be matched up against each other most of the game, but you can bet at times that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will elect to use the size and length of James in order to stop Lin.

James has five inches on Lin and is much longer and stronger. He should want the assignment like any superstar would.

Especially if it's a close game, James should make it a point to demand from Spoelstra that he gets the assignment of being the Lin-stopper.

Miami has allowed an NBA-worst 22.0 PPG to point guards on the season, and James can play a big part of taking away from Lin's strengths tonight.

If he's capable of using his strengths to keep Lin out of the paint and force the youngster into becoming a jump-shooter tonight, then it would prove to be a big advantage for the Heat.

Then there's also the fact that Lin has been turnover-prone. James, one of the NBA's best defenders, could also expose that weakness. Again, his size, length and strength could create problems for Lin.

If the Heat create opportunities to get out in transition, it could be a long night for the Knicks.

Putting James on Lin also makes sense to control the perimeter game, which has also been one of Miami's few weaknesses.

Lin has been great at kicking out to open shooters. Keeping him out of the lane limits his opportunities to do so.

Certainly James will be matched up on Carmelo Anthony for a good portion of the game, but a Miami win or loss could come down to James stepping up and taking on the challenge of stopping Lin.

The times during the game that Spoelstra gives him the assignment, it will be fun to watch the two superstars go at each other.