Vegas doesn’t think the Knicks have a chance. Miami is favored to win the title. LeBron is favored to be MVP of the Finals. The Heat are favored by nine points in game one.

Why the optimism, New York fans?

1) Tyson Chandler, assuming he’s not too hampered by the flu, should make things tough at the rim for Miami. Plus, he was on the Mavericks (and played a pivotal role) when they beat the Heat in the Finals last year.

2) Carmelo Anthony. Scoring-wise, he can go toe-to-toe with LeBron. The only question is whether or not he can get help from the supporting cast (Shumpert? Amare? Baron Davis?), which often struggles for score, leaving matters to the bench.

3) The Knicks have the vastly superior bench. The second unit alone – led by 3-point gunners JR Smith and Steve Novak – should keep the Knicks in every game. Miami’s all about the Big 3, and if two of them are off, and New York’s bench is on – which is has over the last two months – give the Knicks the advantage.

4) Can Shumpert slow Wade? It’s a lot to ask of a rookie against one of the top 10 players in the league. But he’ll have to if the Knicks think they can win the series. LeBron’s going to get whatever he wants, and if Wade is dropping 25-30 a night, the Knicks will get swept.

I think the Knicks keep game one close but lose by seven. I do think they’ll win game two, then lose game three, win game four, and then lose two in a row to end the season.