Heat vs. Knicks: No Melo, No Problem.

     When these last two teams met, the Knicks played their first game after a terrifying hurricane devastated much of Long Island and flooded parts of Manhattan. It was a time where most areas had no power. In fact, there are still some areas that do not have any power. Yet, on that night, the Knicks put on a happy show for their weary and exhausted fans for just a few hours.

   From then on, the Knicks have become a revelation in that the team's ball movement, unselfishness and commitment to defense, has led the Knicks to a 13-4 start. This from a team that was in complete turmoil and chaos. The 2011-12 season read more like the plot arcs of a steamy soap opera or hit drama on cable. This season, the plot lines moved 3,000 miles away to a certain team in Purple and Gold.

  It has been a great feeling for Knick fans but was the first game at MSG, a Cinderella-like dream or a sign of things to come?

   Tonight, the Knicks outplayed Miami and shot the air out of the ball. They played their hearts out and without Carmelo Anthony who injured his fingers in a thrilling buzzer beating win in Charlotte. Felton and Kidd got the Knicks into position with their pinpoint passing and penetration, which led to open looks around the three point line.

    Felton was unconscious in the third and deciding quarter, which saw the Knicks put 37 points on the Heat. His shooting became contagious as other Knicks players such Steve Novak, JR Smith and even Jason Kidd were joining in the three point splashing party in South Beach.

   Together (Novak, Smith and Kidd), made 10 of 25 three point attempts. Their bench massacred Miami's 57-19 and turned a 53-53 tie at the half, into an eye opening snooze. It was a sight to behold seeing numerous three point shots were going up through crisp ball movement, which was nonexistent for most of last season.

   Meanwhile, the Heat's vaunted D was turned into Swiss cheese. Lebron's impressive performance of 31 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists were not enough to gloss over the three ball party that New York dropped onto the stunned Defending Champs. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were nowhere to give support as they were just totally off their game. It was sad watching Wade miss shots that he would have made, just a few short years ago not fall. Bosh was just neutralized by Chandler and of all people, Rasheed Wallace.

   Indeed, it was a thought provoking game, as it showed that the Knicks are a force to be reckoned with going forward. Yet, they don't even have Amare Stoudamire or Iman Shumpert and it will be interesting how integrate those two. They put the Heat and the NBA world on notice.
  
    Now, the question is, Will the Heat respond to the Knicks challenge as they have done so many times last season? If not, perhaps the Heat's 2013 title hopes will revert back into a pumpkin when the clock strikes Midnight.