[Updates Below] We've been there for every minute of this agonizing playoff series between the Knicks and Miami Heat—watched every Carmelo Anthony shot attempt, read about every fire extinguisher incident, listened to every absurdly confidant quote. And now we're exactly where we were last season, with a Game 4 elimination match at MSG. Amare Stoudemire is starting, bandaged hand and all—but will it make any difference? We'll be here to update the post through every high and low this afternoon.
Stat with bandaged hand
End of 1st Quarter: Knicks are beating the Heat 20-18 at the end of the first quarter. The Knicks have started strong—then again, they also did in all the other games in this series. On the plus side, the Knicks have gotten to the free throw line several times, while the Heat haven't; Stoudemire looks active early on as well. On the negative side, Anthony has shot 3-8 so far.
Oh, and dear Jeff Van Gundy: thanks so much for reminding us the Knicks were up 40-29 with 1:44 left in the first half in Game 3.
10:17 in 2nd Quarter: We finally have proof that Michael Douglas and Pat Riley are not the same person. Thanks ESPN/ABC cameramen!
8:48 in 2nd Quarter: Heat on 6-0 run. Somebody please stop Mike Bibby from taking terrible three-pointers.
6:50 in 2nd Quarter: Knicks haven't scored yet in the quarter—they're shooting 32% from the field. And they have five turnovers. Heat on a 12-0 run, now up 30-20. This feeling...this is what it's all about.
6:38 in 2nd Quarter: Josh Harrellson! A never-ending waterfall of fun!
4:30 in 2nd Quarter: Spike Lee spotted not wearing a Knicks hat...is this a good or bad sign? He looks like he's dressed for a funeral. But Anthony makes two tough shots, Knicks down by 4 now (32-28).
2:46 in 2nd Quarter: Tyson Chandler has been collecting technicals as if they were Magic The Gathering cards—let's hope he can cast Necromancer and get a break on this one. The Knicks bench has been really bad today (shooting 2-9). Also, has Baron Davis forgotten how to shoot, or is his head band getting in his eyes? Heat up 34-29.
End of 1st Half: The Heat are winning 44-38 at halftime. We'd wager that this whole game will be decided in the 3rd quarter...unless the whole game is decided in the 4th quarter. Could there be a 5th quarter? If so, the game will definitely be decided then. Unless there's a 6th quarter. Definitely, the 7th quarter, at most.
State Farm Halftime Report: the Heat are playing uninspired ball. The crowd is lackluster. The Knicks are...did they even mention the Knicks? And now comes that inevitable moment when we wonder what would have happened if the Knicks had gotten the 8th seed and played the hobbled Chicago Bulls in the first round instead of the Heat.
Below, check out an MSG tribute to Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys:
5:15 in 3rd Quarter: So much for all those complaints about the Garden being quiet—the crowd is alive and well as the Knicks have crawled back into the game with a 10-0 run. They're now down 51-50, behind some big scores from the first three-pointer of the game, courtesy of JR Smith, and the stitched up hand of Stoudemire. Bad news: Baron Davis looks badly hurt, despite the smiling.
4:31 in 3rd Quarter: TIE GAME, 52-52. Knicks fans, let's hold on to this. Also, we sincerely hope someone got a screengrab of the Heat bench reacting to Davis' injury.
BOOM: here it is:
2:31 in 3rd Quarter: Knicks winning 57-53. As long as they keep letting Joel Anthony take all the shots for the Heat, they've got this one.
1:00 in 3rd Quarter: Knicks up 62-58 thanks to a three pointer by Bibby. Wait...Bibby? All is forgiven.
End of 3rd Quarter: This was by far the best quarter of the game so far for the Knicks. Despite the Davis injury (or perhaps inspired by losing yet another point guard) and Chandler's 5th foul, the team has a 64-61 lead. Will LeBron awake from his slumber for the 4th? Let's hope not.
9:28 in 4th Quarter: Novak chooses a nice time to get his first shot (a three-pointer, of course) of the day. But with Melo sitting, they're even at 69.
5:57 in 4th Quarter: Davis has a dislocated right patella. Carmelo Anthony makes double-clutch layup to tie game at 75-75 (AND he was fouled)—he now has 31 points. Stat has had two scores, including a big dunk in the quarter. Must...keep...expectations...reasonable...
2:42 in 4th Quarter: Gah, LeBron makes huge block of Anthony's would-be dunk. Our fingernails are not going to survive this. Heat are up 79-78. All we want is the dignity of our first playoff victory in over a decade. Let Bibby lead us to our destiny.
1:23 in 4th Quarter: BIBBY! Knicks up 84-81 on Bibby's three pointer.
1:22 in 4th Quarter: We repeat: BIBBY!
:54 in 4th Quarter: LeBron James takes our moment away...and then Anthony hits the three! Knicks up 87-84! Carmelo/Bibby 2012.
:25 in 4th Quarter: Bosh throws it away, backcourt violation for the Heat. Annnnnnnnnd Carmelo is fouled while taking the three (well, he kinda is fouled). But, Carmelo misses the first two free throws? Knicks up 88-84.
:14 in 4th Quarter: LeBron James makes insane layup while falling to the left. Wow. Injuries aside, this game (and especially the second half) is basically everything we had hoped for from this series. Stoudemire is fouled, makes one of two. Knicks up 89-87. Stoudemire throws fist angrily in air...we will refrain from any jokes.
Game Over: KNICKS WIN 89-87. Anthony finishes with 41 points and Stoudemire finishes with 20 as the Knicks end their 11 year playoff drought. They'll head to Miami for Game 5 on Wednesday. Baron Davis is injured—but might Jeremy Lin be healthy enough to play?
