New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat: Keys To The Game

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New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat: Check out our keys to the game in the first of four matchups this season between the Eastern Conference rivals

Feb 20, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks point guard Jose Calderon (3) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have started off their four-game road trip very well. They knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets on a back-to-back set and are beginning to garner some attention from around the league and fans alike. They will look to keep their four-game winning streak alive tonight when they continue their road trip against the Miami Heat.

The Heat come into this game with a record of 8-4, as they are tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with the Chicago Bulls. It will be another good measuring stick for the 8-6 Knicks, as the Heat have one of the most talented rosters not only in the conference, but in the NBA as a whole.

This will be an intriguing matchup, as the Knicks and Heat are two of the last teams that aren’t using small ball lineups a majority of the team on the court. Both teams still deploy the point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center traditional lineups.

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This will be the end of a seven-game homestand for the Heat, who will be embarking on a two-game road trip, with these teams meeting again later in the week. Will they come out with a lot of energy since it is the last game of their homestand, or will they be flat as they think ahead to the road trip?

Smart money would be on the Heat showing up, as they are a veteran laden team that has been on plenty of road trips in their time. That means the Knicks will have to bring it as well, just as they have in every game on this road trip thus far.

The Knicks have been very strong on the road this season, already winning five games away from Madison Square Garden; a number they didn’t reach until March 12th last season. The Heat are also strong at home, going 7-2 at American Airlines Arena thus far.

Something will have to give tonight, as the Knicks and Heat will square off for the first of four times this season. Check our our keys to the game for the Knicks to pick up the victory.

Next: Matchup Of The Game

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