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This will be the first installment in a series of posts
breaking down the match-ups between the Knicks and Heat position by
position. The first match-up will be at
the point guard position.
Match-up: Baron Davis vs. Mario Chalmers
This match-up will have more of an effect on the series than
people think. With so much star power
being showcased, Davis and Chalmers can sometimes get lost in the shuffle but
will play big roles.
There are some negatives for Davis
though. The first obviously is health
concerns. Davis
will provide strong first quarters playing well out of the gate. But, as the game wears on, the pain increases
in his hamstring, severely hindering his performance. Intensity and physical contact are increased
in the playoffs, which is not good for a player as injured as Davis .
Another tough thing is that the Heat play great
pick-and-roll defense, which is what Davis ,
thrives in. The Heat’s athleticism makes
it tough on teams to run the pick-and-roll because they can recover so quickly
and play the passing lanes.
The advantage in this match-up I will say goes to the
Heat. Chalmers is less of a concern with
what is asked of him than Davis is
for the Knicks. This match-up has a whole
different ring to it though when J.R. Smith enters the game. With J.R. Smith running the point, the Knicks
have a distinct advantage over the Heat, but Chalmers gives the Heat the
advantage when Davis is in the
game.
