2011 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Can Advance With Amar'e, Not Carmelo, Taking Big Shots

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will square off in Game 2 of their first-round matchup Tuesday night at the TD Garden.

After a heartbreaking 87-85 loss on Sunday, the Knicks will look to try and even the series at one game apiece.

In order to give themselves the best possible chance of winning Game 2 and the rest of the series, the Knicks need to improve upon a number of things.  One thing stands out in particular, though, is that New York isn't going to advance past the Celtics with Carmelo Anthony taking the big shots instead of Amar'e Stoudemire.

Albeit surprising, it is completely true.

After Ray Allen of the Celtics hit a three-pointer with just over 11 seconds left to give Boston a two-point lead in Game 1, Anthony held the ball on the ensuing Knicks possession and put up a three-point shot that fell short, leaving New York fans frustrated and confused.

Why did Anthony shoot a three instead of a two?

More importantly, why did Anthony shoot at all?

Anthony's credentials when it comes to game-winners are very impressive.  Since joining the Knicks in late February, Anthony has hit game-winners on numerous occasions and proved he can come through in the clutch.

But he had no business shooting the last shot Sunday night.

For starters, Stoudemire had the hot hand.  He scored 28 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, and he was shooting 12-of-18 from the field. Stoudemire was the best player on the floor for either team Sunday night.  

Anthony, on the other hand, was 5-of-17 from the field at that point and 2-of-7 from three-point range.  He had been off all night, and his potential game-winning three-pointer was completely unwarranted.

The Knicks, at that point in time, needed to do what they had done all season long, even before Anthony arrived, and that's lean on Stoudemire.  

All season long, Stoudemire carried the Knicks, and with the game he had last night, all indications are he would have come through with a clutch basket.

Additionally, even if Anthony had been shooting the ball better Sunday night, the big shot still needs to be taken by Stoudemire.

Why?

Boston knows that Anthony is one of the best clutch shooters in the game and would be expecting him to take the shot over Stoudemire.  The Knicks, by possibly having Stoudemire coming off a screen to take the quick mid-range jump shot, could catch the Celtics off guard.  

While Boston's attentions are turned to shutting Anthony down, Stoudemire can set himself up to knock down a shot of his own.

Furthermore, even if Anthony has the hot hand, Paul Pierce is quick enough to defend Anthony.  No, Pierce is not an extraordinary defender, but he is just as agile as Anthony and familiar with his moves.

Stoudemire, on the other hand, has the edge on Kevin Garnett.

As we saw throughout the course of Game 1, Stoudemire is too explosive for even a premiere defender like Garnett to handle.  He is simply too quick for most of the players at his position, and the Knicks need to exploit this down the stretch.

So while Anthony had no business taking the final shot Sunday night because Stoudemire was the one with the hot hand, he has no business taking the final shot over Stoudemire in general if the Knicks are to win this series.

Stoudemire's versatility gives him an edge over every other power forward and center in the NBA, while Anthony's quickness is more commonly matched at the small forward position.

This, coupled with the fact that teams expect Anthony to take the last shot, is why Stoudemire needs to be taking the big shots down the stretch for the Knicks.  The element of surprise is a great weapon, and the Knicks have the opportunity to exploit it.

Should Game 2 or any other game in this series come down to a similar situation as we saw Sunday, New York needs to do what they do best and what other teams do not expect.

And that is put the game in Stoudemire's hands, not Anthony's.