Jimmy Butler produced 27 factors and 10 assists on Monday night time because the host Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 109-101 to take a 3-1 lead of their Eastern Conference semifinal collection.
Miami, the eighth seed within the East, can clinch the best-of-seven collection with a win on Wednesday in New York.
The Heat additionally bought 23 factors and a game-high 13 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.
Miami outhustled fifth-seeded New York all through, successful the offensive-rebound battle 13-8. The Heat additionally had a 22-15 edge in factors off turnovers, and Miami was faster to unfastened balls.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 factors and 11 assists, each sport highs. Brunson’s output included a nook 3-pointer within the second quarter that went in off the glass.
Knicks guard/ahead RJ Barrett added 24 factors. Julius Randle, who fouled out with 3:08 left within the sport, completed with 20 factors and 9 rebounds, however he additionally dedicated a game-high six turnovers.
New York’s Immanuel Quickley, who completed second in voting for NBA Sixth Man of the Year, missed the sport because of a sprained left ankle.
His absence resulted in a number of Knicks adjustments. Quentin Grimes returned to the beginning lineup, Josh Hart resumed his key bench position and Miles McBride was added to the rotation.
Miami led 31-30 after the primary quarter as Kyle Lowry made a mid-range jumper with 0.5 seconds left. New York shot 60 p.c within the interval, going 3-for-7 on 3-point makes an attempt. Miami hit 54.5 p.c of its shot makes an attempt, together with 4 of 9 from deep.
Miami led by as many as 11 factors within the second quarter earlier than settling for a 56-48 halftime benefit. Adebayo led all first-half scorers with 16 factors. For the Knicks, Brunson had 13 factors and Randle had 12. Miami outshot New York 50 p.c to twenty-eight.6 p.c within the second quarter.
New York once more trailed by 11 within the third however lower its deficit to 90-81 by the interval’s finish. Butler had 11 factors within the third, and Max Strus added eight of his 16 for Miami.
The Heat led all through the fourth quarter, with the margin by no means falling beneath six factors.
Miami shot 47.1 p.c from the ground for the night time. New York shot 48.7 p.c, however the Knicks bought 9 fewer makes an attempt because of turnovers and Miami’s offensive rebounds and relentless pursuit of the ball.
—Field Level Media/Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
