2023-05-09 03:28:33
The Miami Heat are one win away from going to the Conference Finals for the third time in four years. In Game 4, the Heat beat the New York Knicks 109-101 because the Knicks just mightn’t get any rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Miami Heat (E8) – New York Knicks (E5) 109:101 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 3-1
In the end it was quite close, but it never felt like it. Miami controlled the action for 48 minutes, but only led by a maximum of 11 points. Jimmy Butler wasn’t as dominant offensively as he was in the playoffs either, but he still had 27 points (9/17 FG), 10 assists and 2 steals. But the forward also got enough support, including from Bam Adebayo (23, 10/17, 13 rebounds), who showed one of his better games offensively.
Max Strus (16) sank four threes, Kyle Lowry (15, 4/6) was valuable on defense and let the ball run. Ultimately, the difference was made by the threes (13:9) and the offensive rebounds of the Heat in the fourth quarter (7 in the section, 22:9 boards). For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson (32, 10/21, 11 assists) was the top scorer once more, while Julius Randle (20, 8/13, 9 rebounds, 6 TO) once more had a game of ups and downs. RJ Barrett (24) played a good second half, Isaiah Hartenstein put up 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in 15 minutes.
After the defensive battle in Game 3, both teams found their rhythm faster. For Miami, Adebayo cleaned up under the boards, Butler controlled the offense in halffield. Randle and Brunson in particular scored for the Knicks, but the former was noticed several times with defensive failures. Nevertheless, the Knicks played with more speed and were only 30:31 behind following a buzzerbeat from Lowry following the first quarter.
Brunson was only given a brief rest following that as backup Immanuel Quickley (ankle) was out. Miami used this once more to a 9:2 run with the bench. In general, not much went for the Knicks as a result, as you can see from one person Brunson’s rare bank shot from the corner. The Knicks scored a meager 9 points in as many minutes, while Miami threw in a three-pointer (Strus, Gabe Vincent) here and there. Meanwhile, Butler cleaned up Quentin Grimes nasty, while Adebayo continued to get open dunks. Miami led 56-48 at the break.
Miami beats the Knicks with offensive rebounds
But it got better from a guest perspective and that was because Miami now had to play more in the half field. Barrett now had a good run, the Knicks hit at times 10/12 from the field before Kevin Love (8) relieved Miami with 5 quick points. The difference until then was the three. Strus and Caleb Martin (10) followed up once more, so Miami was still ahead with 90:81 before the final section.
Now both teams were struggling, but Miami held the lead thanks to numerous offensive rebounds. Almost every 50-50 ball ended up with the hosts, who drew numerous fouls. This resulted in Randle fouling out three minutes from time at -7 to a drawn offensive foul by Strus. On the other side, Butler scored once more following an offensive rebound, followed by Adebayo with a jumper. Brunson fought back once, but another offensive rebound from Lowry with 45 seconds left sealed the Knicks’ fate.
The Heat are leading the series with 3-1 and can thus complete their third participation in the Conference Finals in four years in just two days at Madison Square Garden. They would become the second 8-seed to win at least two playoff rounds, following the 1999 Knicks.
NBA Playoffs: Die Stats-Leader bei Heat vs. Knicks
| Category | Heat | Knicks |
| Points | Jimmy Butler (27) | Jalen Brunson (32) |
| Rebounds | Bam Adebayo (13) | Julius Randle (9) |
| Assists | Jimmy Butler (10) | Jalen Brunson (11) |
| Steals | Vincent, Butler (I 2) | Quentin Grimes (2) |
| Blocks | Jimmy Butler (2) | Hartenstein, Robinson (2 each) |
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