It’s an intriguing matchup — the New York Knicks at the Miami Heat on Sunday night.
The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference finals last season for the first time in 25 years, are off to a 2-0 start under new coach Mike Brown after beating Cleveland and Boston.
Now the Knicks hit the road, with their initial stop against an old rival. The Heat are coming off an impressive 146-114 win at Memphis on Friday.
In that game, Miami broke franchise records for most points in a half (86) and most points through three quarters (114). The Heat also held Grizzlies star Ja Morant to 12 points.
“Hopefully, our starters can set the tone and our second unit can change the energy,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of Miami’s plan. “It’s fun when you see it all come together.”
The Heat, who lost their season opener at Orlando, made one change in their starting lineup Friday, benching 6-10 Nikola Jovic and inserting 7-footer Kel’el Ware.
The plan worked as Ware posted 19 points and nine rebounds. Jovic had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
For the young season, Norman Powell leads Miami in scoring (21.0). He was acquired by the Heat in July as Miami parted with Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson in a three-team trade.
Another Heat player to watch is Davion Mitchell, who is averaging 9.0 points and a team-high 9.5 assists. He was acquired in February in a trade with Toronto.
Bam Adebayo is also back for Miami, and he’s averaging 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Both the Heat and the Knicks are dealing with key injuries.
For Miami, Tyler Herro — a first-time All-Star last season — is out following last month’s surgery on his left ankle.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are without center Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Josh Hart (back) made his season debut Friday in New York’s win over Boston.
But forward OG Anunoby left the game due to an apparent thigh injury. His status for Sunday has not been announced.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (quad strain) is also playing through pain, although he scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Friday.
“It’s not easy to deal with,” Towns said.
One big change for the Knicks with Brown as coach is that New York is playing more guys, providing more rest for the starters.
Last season, under coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks rarely used more than nine players. This season, the Knicks have used at least 10 players in each contest.
New York’s core-four starters are point guard Jalen Brunson, wing Mikal Bridges, Anunoby and Towns. But the Knicks also have Hart, Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, Landry Shamet and Guerschon Yabusele.
“We have a deep team,” Brown said. “It’s my job to keep finding combinations that work. I’ve got a lot of room to grow, too.”
Brown said he will continue to play as many players as possible, which, in theory, will help the Knicks if/when they make the playoffs.
“Our expectations are extremely high,” Brown said. “We’re not anywhere near what we’re capable of, and that’s exciting.”
