The Miami Heat got their second-round streak off to a good start against the New York Knicks by winning 108-101 on Sunday.
Jimmy Butler once again led the charge for the Heat with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Gabe Vincent got 20, and Kyle Lowry 18.
Miami is the first No. 8 seed in history to win five of its first six playoff games.
The Heat had become only the sixth eighth-seeded team to defeat No. 1s when they knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. The Floridians have averaged 124 points in this series, helped by Butler’s 37.6 points per game. But today, they triumphed thanks to their defense and rebounds, which had made their success before the playoffs.
The Knicks led most of the first half, but the Heat gradually silenced the Madison Square Garden crowd as the game progressed.
Five minutes from time, all of Florida shook when Butler did not immediately get up after contact with Josh Hart who came to defend on him. And even more so when he saw him wince in pain. With courage, he succeeded in his two free throws, without then being able to influence the end of the match, as he usually does, for lack of being able to really run.
” Ho are you doing? “, asked him after the fact the journalist of ABC.
“Like someone who twisted their ankle,” he replied with a half-smile. But you had to stay on the pitch, be present, find a way to win. I haven’t done much except a ear ball (a missed shot without touching the circle, Editor’s note) to three points. But I will take this victory. »
On the other side, the Canadian RJ Barrett provided 26 points, one more than Jalen Brunson.
Knicks star Julius Randle was absent. Randle took part in practice at MSG on Sunday morning, but his presence was then uncertain.
The strong winger was injured on March 29 against the Heat and did not return for the rest of the regular season. However, he participated in the first round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but did not find a usual rhythm.
2023-04-30 23:00:58
#NBA #Heat #won #clash #Knicks #2nd
