Dr. Jack's Breakdown: Raptors-Knicks
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
No. 6 Raptors (45-37) vs. No. 3 Knicks (50-32)
 Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. The color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.
Throughout the 2000 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intanglibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.
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BACKCOURT
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EDGE
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| The Raptors give the Knicks problems because they play the two big guards, Tracy McGrady and Doug Christie, and that duo will take advantage of either Charlie Ward or Chris Childs in the post. Allan Houston poses problems for anyone because he has such a versatile offensive game. Still, the point guard mismatch can't be overlooked. |
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FRONTCOURT
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EDGE
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| Even though it appears Toronto has an advantage, I don't think it's as big as many people would think. The matchup between Latrell Sprewell and Vince Carter is a great one. Carter has averaged more than 30 points per game against the Knicks. Sprewell won't stop Carter, but Carter won't stop Sprewell, either. Charles Oakley, a good post defender, will go against Patrick Ewing. The Knicks center needs to have his game together, and he should be motivated for one last shot at the Finals. Larry Johnson will play against Antonio Davis, or Ewing will play Davis. |
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BENCH
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EDGE
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The Knicks get better bench play if Marcus Camby can play, and I think he will. The Raptors go with Kevin Willis, Dell Curry and Muggsy Bogues, but Camby, Childs and Kurt Thomas comprise a stronger group off the bench. Thomas is a big player in the series because he can defend. There will be times when he will have to defend Carter. He is long, quick-footed and tenacious. I don't think Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy will go much deeper than eight players. |
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INTANGIBLES
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EDGE
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The Knicks have the big edge in terms of home-court advantage and experience, having gone to the Finals last year. Meanwhile, this is the Raptors' first trip to the playoffs. However, even though the Knicks have the home edge, the Raptors have fared well on the road and have proven they can win at Madison Square Garden.
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PREDICTION
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Knicks in five. The difference will be team defense and experience. The Knicks will get their defense together and do a better job than they did during the regular season, when they lost three of four to the Raptors.
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