Miami Heat Prepare to Finish Off New York Knicks

The Miami Heat weren't able to close out their first round series against the New York Knicks in Game 4, but they'll give it another shot when the Eastern Conference rivals meet on May 9.

The Heat were on their way to sweeping the Knicks in their last encounter, but a poor third quarter performance cost them the game. They'll need to play all four quarters in Game 5, if they want to get some rest before the second round.

"You carry it with you 24 hours, you go over what needs to be done, you correct it and you get rid of it," LeBron James told reporters about their poor performance in Game 4. "That's not saying that you don't care about it but you've got to move on to the next game. You can't let it linger too much and carry that game into Game 5. So Game 4 for us is over. We're preparing for Game 5 now."

LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh played well in Game 4, finishing with 27, 22, and 17 points respectively. However, Miami's role players reverted to their old ways on Sunday, putting up a combined 21 points against the Knicks.

Miami's poor free throw shooting also cost them big in Game 4, and they certainly don't want to make a habit of it.

With a 3-1 lead in the series, the Heat will be wise to close out their series against the Knicks on Wednesday, since a loss will bring New York back into the series. Miami's superstars expect the Knicks to bring their A-game in Game 5, but they're confident they'll be up to the task.

"They'll bring something different so we've got to be prepared, in a sense like it's a regular-season game," Wade told reporters. "It'll be a little tougher. Five games in, everyone pretty much knows each other's offensive package a little bit. You can throw a couple wrinkles in but you kind of get to the point now where you start to know what guys are going to do."

Given how well the Heat have played at the American Airlines Arena this season, I expect them to send the Knicks packing on Wednesday, and start preparations for their second round series against the Indiana Pacers.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Knicks-Heat Preview"