Heat vs. Knicks: Miami Must Beat New York and Gain Momentum for Playoffs

The New York Knicks and Miami Heat are set to square off in Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.

Miami cannot afford to lose this game as they ramp up for another postseason run. After a devastating, nationally televised loss to the Chicago Bulls in overtime on Thursday evening, the Heat have to prove their mettle against another potential playoff opponent.

The Knicks are coming into the game with momentum, despite not having Jeremy Lin or Amar’e Stoudemire in the lineup. They gained a crucial win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night and pretty much secured their postseason spot—barring a complete meltdown.

When the tip-off finally comes, this game is going to have playoff intensity as both teams attempt to show their worth and showcase what they are really made of.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have to know they better than their recent play has resulted in.

Carmelo Anthony has been playing out of his mind and it’s going to be a real challenge for the Heat defenders to calm him down. When he single-handedly beat Chicago last Sunday with a game-tying three and overtime dagger from the same spot, it became clear he’s not messing around and believes this team is a contender.

‘Melo has that winner's mentality and does not shrink from the spotlight. When he takes the shot, he knows he has a great chance of hitting it.

LeBron has little time left to show he has that same streak buried inside him somewhere.

When Miami played the Bulls, LBJ missed a game-icing free throw that allowed Chicago to force OT with a three and then eviscerate them in the extra period.

If LeBron can’t put the Heat on his back in crunch time, there is a huge question mark that will be looming over Miami during the postseason.

Fans in South Beach have to be hoping for a close game with LeBron coming through in the fourth quarter, just so they can breathe a bit in May and June.