Madison Square Garden
The "World's Most Famous Arena" was electric as the New York Knicks opened the 2011-2012 season against the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Miami Heat. All of the usual celebrities and dignitaries were in the house including Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, and Denzel Washington. The game was actually delayed by twenty minutes as a splinter "Occupy Wall Street" protest gathered outside of the Garden which kept fans from getting inside. MSG was rocking as the Knick faithful were in full voice as they looked to see if the Knicks could take the next step. The Heat , coming off a bitter end to their championship dream, appeared to be brooding over having to open on the road. Heat captain Udonis Haslem was quoted as saying "We tired of getting treated like the bad guys, eventually you are gonna see the bad guy come out if it keeps up".
The Heat made their intentions known with a 17-4 run to start the game fueled by Lebron James. James hounded Carmelo Anthony early in a similar display to the defense played against D.Rose in the ECF. James' defense ignited the Heat's transition game as Dwayne Wade scored ten points during the run. Inspired by James, Joel Anthony harrassed Amare Stoudamire , keeping the Knicks star scoreless in the first quarter. The Heat led 29-13 at the end of the one leaving the MSG crowd with an uneasy feeling.
The Knicks bench sparked a comeback to start the secound quarter. Toney Douglas began bombing away from the three point line during a 16-5 run to cut the Heat lead to five. Erik Spolestra re-inserted the "Big 3" and the lead grew back to twelve as Chris Bosh knocked down a series of baseline jumpers. At halftime, Miami led 54-38.
As in most NBA games, the home team makes a run and the Knicks came out of the locker room with a 17-7 run to cut the lead to six. After a horrible first half, Stoudamire scored 9 points and 5 rebounds in the third quarter and Carmelo was finally about to get off some clean looks. The Heat answered the Knicks run temporarily behind James and Bosh and increased the lead to twelve but seven straight points by Carmelo closed the gap to five at the break; Miami 72, New York 67.
The fourth quarter was a stalemate with both teams using their bench. Miami rookie Norris Cole defended the more experienced Knick point guards well and ran the team efficiently. For the Knicks, it was a surprising effort from Renaldo Balkman. Balkman's energy and offensive rebounding kept the Knicks close as the Heat lead remained five halfway through the third. Spolestra reinserted the Big 3 to finish the game and finish they did, scoring all of the Heat's 18 points to end the game as the Heat went on a 18-4 run to close the deal, featuring two spectacular "And one's" by Wade. The Heat knocked off the Knicks 101-82 to open the 2011-2012 season.
BIG 3 VS BIG 2
Dwayne Wade: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
Chris Bosh: 20 points, 12 rebounds, 8-11 fg
Lebron James: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
Carmelo Anthony: 18 points, 6-19 fg
Amare Stoudamire: 19points, 14 rebounds
Other Scores
Charlotte 89, Orlando 92
New Jersey 103, Washington 104
Philadelphia 88, Toronto 77
Cleveland 90, Boston 101
Indiana 108, Detroit 95
Chicago 86, New Orleans 82
Atlanta 98, Minnesota 91
Milwaukee 78, San Antonio 95
Oklahoma City 113, Phoenix 99
Houston 90, Sacramento 92
LA Lakers 109, Golden State 108 (OT)
Memphis 84, LA Clippers 92
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