The New York Knicks are getting back their star player before the All-Star break while the Miami Heat are still playing without one of their big names. The Knicks will have Carmelo Anthony as they had on the road to play the Miami Heat who are expected to still be without Dwyane Wade for the game. The Knicks are still stuck in a lengthy losing streak once again while the Heat are looking for some improvement in order to make a run in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat will continue to be without Wade who has missed the last five games with a strained hamstring, a reoccurring injury throughout the year. He has taken part in non-contract portions of practice, but is not expected to be back on the court. The Heat are currently battling for one of the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and are trying not to lose pace with Wade out for the time being. Injuries are becoming an issue. Hassan Whiteside has a sprained right ankle. Shawne Williams has hip issues while Udonis Haslem is dealing with a wrist injury. The pressure is on players like Chris Bosh to step up in everyone's absence.
The Heat have lost three straight games along with the Knicks who are currently the East's worst team. Anthony is expected to play against Miami after sitting out the game against Golden State with knee soreness. The Knicks are opting not to play in him back-to-back games right now after the guard played in the team's five previous games. The team will be getting Amar'e Stoudemire back into the mix. The power forward re-emerged against Golden State, putting up a combined 22 points in the past two games.
If the Knicks have any chance against the Heat, they must try to get off to a fast start, something that has plagued the team in recent weeks. The Knicks trailed by seven early against Boston before doing the same against Brooklyn. Tim Hardaway Jr must step up as well against his hometown team. He made 2 of 22 shots while going 0 for 12 from long range in his first two games against the Heat.
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