The Miami Heat were in the game until the very end, but Carmelo Anthony caught fire late in the fourth quarter and helped keep the New York Knicks' season alive. When it was all said and done, 'Melo put up 41 points, most of them with Shane Battier playing defense on him. Our Heat blog Peninsula is Mightier isn't the only one questioning that decision.
A lot of people will question why Erik Spoelstra kept Shane Battier on Anthony the whole way through. I even said it. But Battier defended Anthony well on those late jump shots. Nonetheless, James is the best perimeter defender in the league and should have guarded
To be fair, Battier is a pretty good defender in his own right, but as PIM points out, LeBron James is the best perimeter defender in the entire NBA. I can understand if Erik Spoelstra wanted LeBron to save his energy for the offensive end, but at some point you have to stop their best player. We'll see if Spoelstra changes his game plan for Game 5.
Stick with this StoryStream for news and updates throughout the first round series between the Heat and Knicks. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier. For the opponent's perspective throughout the series, check out Posting And Toasting, SB Nation's Knicks blog. And for all your news and notes on the playoffs matchups, visit SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.