The Heat switched up its defensive scheme against Carmelo Anthony in Game 1, opting to front and deny Anthony the ball in the mid-post.

"I wasn't expecting that," Anthony said. "I think they made some major adjustments out there fronting me, sending me down to the bigs, showing me two or three guys at a time, so it was an adjustment that they made. Now, it's time for us to make that adjustment."

Anthony shot 3-for-15 from the floor as the Knicks connected on 35.7 percent of their total shot attempts.

"We were trying to be more aggressive, trying to be more alert, making his catches tougher," Erik Spoelstra said. "[Carmelo] will make adjustments. He's too good of a player and shot maker, and he'll find ways to get open. He can put pressure on our defense, but the most important thing is our activity and our commitment to that type of energy level."

LeBron James expects Anthony to bounce back in Game 2.

"He's going to make adjustments like all great players do," James said. "We have to be ready for him in Game 2."

Mike Miller has missed a combined 71 games during his two seasons with the Heat, but he is beginning to show signs of why he was signed shortly after LeBron James and Chris Bosh were added to Dwyane Wade.

“We’re finally starting to see some of the things that we’ve always liked about Mike," said Erik Spoelstra.

Miami was plus-23 with Miller on the floor on Sunday.

“With guys out we’ve been able to bring the ball to him a lot more and not just for him to run to the corner and be the recipient of plays like that last one [where he drilled a game-clinching three-pointer against the Rockets]. We’ve had calls for him where there is the responsibility for him to create shots for the team. And I think that’s great for him.

“You see the versatility he brings. He’s not just a spot-up three-point shooter. He can put the ball on the floor, be a timely offensive rebounder. He makes passes on catch-and-shoots. He brings another dimension to our game that is not simply pick-and-roll. That’s a valuable piece.”

Dwyane Wade suffered a dislocated left index finger, but X-rays were negative and he expects to be ready for the playoff opener.

"They told me the worst-case scenario was surgery," Wade said. "I looked at my finger and the knuckle was up and down. I'm blessed for it just to be dislocated.”

The playoffs start next weekend.

"I'll be prepared and ready for the playoffs," Wade said. "It'll be an adjustment, but I'm blessed that it's nothing worse."

Tyson Chandler said the Knicks will have to make some adjustments to overcome their 0-3 regular season record against Miami.

“I’m OK with it,’’ Chandler said of the possibility of facing the Heat in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. “They’ve beaten us obviously every game. I don’t feel we necessarily made the adjustment to that team. That’s a team you have to make adjustments and have to make them pay for how aggressive they are [defensively]. We haven’t done that yet. We have to be willing if that’s the matchup to break down tape, focus in and see where we can beat them.’’

Chandler is encouraged by the Knicks’ play heading into the postseason.

“I feel great the way we’re playing right now,’’ Chandler said. “With the way Melo’s playing and all our role players. All our role players are playing well. It’s not so much the key guys going into the playoffs. It’s how everyone else is doing on the team. Are they confident? Will they take a shot when the ball is swung around to them? Those are things that win games.’’

Eddy Curry won’t commit to returning to the Heat next season, saying only that he’s grateful for what the team has done to resurrect his career.

"We'll see what happens,” said Curry, who signed a one-year contract before the start of this season. “I'm here right now. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen in the playoffs. We'll see what happens. That's all I can really do. At the end of this thing, I'll sit down with (Erik Spoelstra) and with (Heat president Pat) Riley and with my agent (Leon Rose).

“I'm continuing to lose weight, continuing to get myself in great shape. And that's all I can really ask for. It's a world-class organization here, and just to be a part of it, I feel extremely blessed and I'm still making the best of it."

Curry is fourth on the depth chart at center, behind Ronny Turiaf, Joel Anthony and Dexter Pittman.
 
"The fact that it was a truncated season (and) he missed all of training camp," Erik Spoelstra said when asked about Curry's lack of minutes this season. "I counted the other day. I think he's had 10 practices the whole year, and we had 76 last year."

The Heat will rest Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on Wednesday against the Raptors.

Ronny Turiaf will also sit due to a hamstring injury.

Norris Cole has struggled badly during the second half of his rookie season, but he is attempting to remain confident. Cole has shot 2-for-21 during his recent four-game slump.

"It's part of this game. You've got to take the highs with the lows," Cole said.

"You've got to be able to still stay even keel when you're not playing well. My work ethic is still the same. If anything, it's picked up even more. As long as you keep putting in the work, I know a breakthrough will come."

Mike Miller has been cleared by doctors and participated in his first strenuous workout on Wednesday.

Miller has missed 13 straight games since spraining his ankle.

Miller's return is imminent.

The Heat have started six different centers over the past two seasons, with Ronny Turiaf now in the role.

Joel Anthony had been starting at center, but he's been struggling against bigger centers.

Miami is hoping moving Anthony to a reserve role will rejuvenate him before the postseason.

“To get to my second layer of the rotation, there were some things that I wanted to move,” Erik Spoelstra said. “Ultimately, we always envisioned Joel to be a game changer off the bench. At some point, somebody has to start as well. We have to find some people that can fill that role as well.”