Tyson Chandler's Health Puts New York Knicks at Early Disadvantage Against Heat

The New York Knicks already have a tough first-round matchup with the Miami Heat, but without center Tyson Chandler for Game 1, things are about to get even harder.

Update: Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. ET

Breathe, Knicks fans. Tyson Chandler will start against the Heat, via Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

"

Tyson Chandler will start vs. Heat.

— Shandel Richardson(@ShandelRich) April 28, 2012"

Update: Saturday, April 28 at 2:45 p.m. ET

Tyson Chandler may not be 100 percent, but he is at least healthy enough to be active for the opening game of this series. New York Newsday's Al Iannazzone tweeted the news.

"

Tyson Chandler is active.

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 28, 2012"

The news comes from New York Newsday's Al Iannazzone, via Twitter:

"

Woodson just said it's a strong possibility Chandler won't play Game 1.

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 27, 2012"

This is brutal news for the Knicks, who just can't seem to get everyone healthy at the same time.

What does this mean?

Most importantly, a Chandler-less Game 1 means the Knicks are going to have a tough time in the key against the Heat. 

Amar'e Stoudemire is capable of somewhat guarding Chris Bosh, and Joel Anthony presents no offensive threat for Miami, but after that things get a little dicey.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are can get to the hoop with ease, and New York is going to have a tough time stopping the duo without their enforcer in the middle. Chandler is quite possibly the Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA this season, and taking him out of the lineup leaves a big hole against a team that loves to score on the inside.

Not good.

What happens next?

It's quite possible that Josh Harrellson steps into the starting lineup for New York, but for the majority of the time, it's more plausible the Knicks go with a smaller lineup with Carmelo Anthony at the 4 and Stoudemire at the 5. 

If the Knicks are going to be without Chandler, their half-court defense will obviously suffer—in their last real game without Chandler, the Knicks won, but they gave up 112 points to Atlanta.

To be successful, they are going to have to get out on the break, and push the tempo, but that can also be a deadly mistake when playing the Heat.

Knicks fans should be hoping for a Game 2 return (assuming Chandler does in fact miss Game 1), because this is a big loss.