Amare Lends a Hand

What's the sound of one hand clapping? It's a query that has confounded Chinese philosophers for centuries*. On Sunday, we believe we learned the answer: Amare Stoudemire congratulating himself. Stoudemire, with his hurt hand wrapped up, made sure the Heat didn't wrap up the series, by posting 20 and 10, but here's where we really have to (ahem) hand it to him: Stoudemire shot a superb 8 of 13 from the field. Another fellow named Carmelo chipped in with 41 points in 41 minutes, with only one turnover, to stave off elimination (and snap the franchise's ultra unlucky 13-game home playoff losing streak), secured only after the Dwayne Wade missed a step-back shot to win it at the end. Anthony and Stoudemire accounted for 61 of the Knicks 89 points, as no other player reached double-digits. As has been the case with the Knicks all season, any cause for celebration quickly changed into cause for concern, as Baron Davis dislocated his kneecap. The series doesn't resume until Wednesday, at which time Jeremy Lin may return to the lineup. The Knicks will need - excuse the expression, Amare - all hands on deck if they are to win another game. The upper hand still belongs to the Heat. Here are the other applause worthy performances from the weekend:

1. April showers might bring May flowers, but May Thunder brought Mavs' blunders. Their main mistake was allowing James Harden, who recently was added to the Olympic roster, to have the ball in his hands. Russell Westbrook can be cornered into taking bad shots, on occassion Kevin Durant can be comparably confined, but not Harden. He has the patience of a purity ring-wearer and picks his spots to score. Execution triumphed over experience as the defending champs were summarily swept like dust off a doorstep. Lamar Odom wasn't with the Mavericks long, but he suitably symbolized the squad's shortcomings: disinterested, distracted, dilatory. Maybe he does deserve a portion of the playoff payout.

2. We're in awe of Spencer Hawes. The Sixers center followed-up a 21-point, 9-rebound performance in game three with a team-high 22 points - on 9 of 11 shooting - and 8 boards in a pair of wins, as 76ers have collected three consecutive victories against the banged-up Bulls. Yes, Derrick Rose was lost to injury in the first game and Joakim Noah went down in the third contest, but it still is an eighth seed against a number one, the team in the playoffs with the least wins (35) versus the one with the most(50) now holding a two-game advantage. Chicago native Evan Turner (19, 7 and 6 assists in game 2, plus 16 and 9 in game three), a high school rival of Rose's, was scolded with the "be careful for what you wish for" warning for saying before the series that he'd rather face the Bulls than the Heat, but he might have the last laugh. If so, the Sixers snicker will sound specific: "Ha-Hawes."

*Then again, Confucius couldn't comprehend the match-up zone.