Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Saturday, May 13, 2000
Yes! Carter a
hero for the Heat
The former UH player's improbable
By Howard Fendrich
shot in overtime gives Miami a
2-1 lead against New York
Associated PressNEW YORK -- The defense was so good, the winning shot came from behind the backboard.
Legal or not -- and Jeff Van Gundy might not let that debate die any time soon -- Miami reserve guard Anthony Carter's off-balance miracle made it through the net with 2.2 seconds left in overtime. It settled a game in which the Knicks and Heat applied typical staunch defense.
The rookie from the University of Hawaii not only gave Miami a 77-76 victory at Madison Square Garden last night and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, he provided perhaps the most unbelievable ending in a rivalry that's had its share of big shots and bizarre brawls.
"It went down to a crazy overtime and we ended up getting the bounce, a big-time bounce," Miami coach Pat Riley said.
"Both teams are extremely knowledgeable about each other's offenses, that is what it comes down to. If you want high-flying, high-scoring games, I don't think this is the series to come to watch."
There certainly has been no shortage of stingy defense or hard fouls as the teams played 20 playoff games the past four years.
They know each other so well, have become so adept at forcing the other to go to second, third and fourth choices on offense, that neither seems to have a sense of how to put the ball in the basket consistently.
Carter's shot was about as unorthodox as they come.
The rookie, who played the final 22 minutes for a hobbled Tim Hardaway (0-for-5 from the field, two assists), drove along the baseline until he was cut off by Charlie Ward and Patrick Ewing. Facing a seemingly impossible angle, Carter tossed a shot that went over the top corner of the backboard, bounced high off the front rim, and -- somehow -- went in.
The basket was initially waved off by referee Danny Crawford, who thought Alonzo Mourning touched the ball while it was on the rim.
"The only thing going through my head," Carter said, "was, 'Please don't take my basket away. Please.' "
The other officials told Crawford the call was wrong, and it was reversed.
"The ball was shot from behind the backboard, which should result in an out-of-bounds on the side," Knicks coach Van Gundy said. "Clear as day on the replay."
Crawford said the shot was legal because the ball did not pass directly over the top of backboard, but rather on an angle.
"It's very disappointing. We were right there. We just fell short," said New York center Patrick Ewing, who had nine points and missed a free throw with 13.7 seconds left in overtime that would have given New York a two-point lead. "They made a tough shot."
Mourning led Miami with 23 points, Jamal Mashburn had 16, and P.J. Brown provided a spark with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Carter finished with 10 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and just one turnover.
YESTERDAY
Miami 77, New York 76, OT
TODAY
TOMORROW
