In the regular season, the Raptors looked in-Vince-ible against the Knicks, winning three of four games. Vince Carter was at his electric best as Latrell Sprewell looked lost trying to guard Air Canada. But this is the playoffs and the Knicks plan to show young Mr. Carter that they’re not ready to give up their NBA East throne. While it’s become fashionable to say the Raptors will send the Knicks home early, Jeff Van Gundy’s crew figures to make Carter’s first playoff trip a brief one.
POINT GUARD
The two-headed Charlie Ward-Chris Childs monster doesn’t scare anyone but at least Ward became more consistent from the 3-point line this season (39 percent) and teams aren’t as willing to give him wide-open looks now. Childs never found his shot this season (40.8 pct.) but he’s a staunch defender who has the courage to lay a hard foul on Vince Carter. Ex-Knick Doug Christie, who is 6-6, was switched to point guard in February and has saved his best moments for the Knicks. His size advantage over Ward-Childs could sway Jeff Van Gundy to go with the controversial Big Backcourt at times. Edge: Raptors.
SHOOTING GUARD
Mr. All-Star better start playing like one. Allan Houston has not been the same player since the All-Star Break, appearing fatigued, out of rhythm on offense and atrocious on the defense recently. When he’s right, Houston is the best pure jump shooter in the league and has shown it in the playoffs and probably will show it again. One alarming note, though, is Houston has been a poor free-throw shooter in the final minute this season. Toronto’s 20-year-old Tracy McGrady, at 6-8, does so many more things than Houston but is not the pure shooter. McGrady has played great defense on Houston, he blocks shots, rebounds and passes. His handling of playoff pressure is series X-factor. Edge: Even.
SMALL FORWARD
Latrell Sprewell has been unable to keep up with Vince Carter and he may be relieved of those duties. Van Gundy appears to be leaning toward playing big forward Larry Johnson on Carter while having Houston face Toronto power forward Charles Oakley. Sprewell has to play with vigor for an entire four quarters. Too many times this season he’s had a terrific quarter, then disappears the rest of the game. But he’s proven to be a clutch playoff performer. In his second season, Carter has only one thing left to prove before the Jordan comparison is fair — that he can he do it in the playoffs. Surely he can do it against the Knicks, averaging 33 points in four games, killing them from outside, inside and mid-range. Edge: Toronto
POWER FORWARD
With all his aches and pains, LJ still has his low-post moves, gets great looks but has missed too many easy lefty runners in the lane. Still a great passer, defender and emotional leader. Could be key if he slows down Carter. Oakley is the same warrior he was as a Knick, sets a punishing tone in the paint and would love nothing more than to beat the team for which he wanted to finish his career. Edge: Even
CENTER
Patrick Ewing played All-Star caliber ball from February on. He didn’t miss one game after his December return as the Knicks finished 39-23 with him after going 11-9 without. He averaged 15 ppg and emerged as the No. 1 go-to guy in the final minute of close games. That is a slight concern, as Ewing’s history is he makes as many as he misses. He still wants the ball for the big shot and he’s probably going to get it. Antonio Davis has been a vital addition to Toronto, brings playoff experience and toughness and manages in the pivot despite being undersized at 6-9. Edge: Knicks
BENCH
Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Childs fill out the eight-man rotation and they can bring in John Wallace for instant offense. With McGrady now starting, the Raptors bench is no bargain, with Dell Curry, who’s play has been sporadic, Kevin Willis and Muggsy Bogues. Camby and much-improved Thomas give Knicks decided advantage. Edge: Knicks.
COACHING
With two-to-three days off between each of the first four games, coaching is going to play an even bigger role with teams having time to adjust dramatically. Van Gundy is one of the best at getting his team prepared. Van Gundy’s been through 24 playoff wars since joining Knicks as an assistant. He’s come a long way since allowing his players to escape the bench in Miami in the ’97 playoff brawl. Litigious Butch Carter has coached as many NBA playoffs games as you. Carter can shrivel under the playoff pressure, prone to tinker too much and overreact with his lineups and lawsuits. Edge: Knicks.
PREDICTION: Belief in Van Gundy as one of the best preparers in the game and a hunch Sprewell is going to have a monster series will be difference. Raptors will win their two games by blowouts and the Knicks will take three close ones, including today’s Game 1 at the Garden. KNICKS IN FIVE.