Miami Heat took advantage of the bad moment that the New York Knicks are going through to add a new victory to their locker. Spoelstra’s men dominated the game from start to finish and did not give their rival any chance. A great performance by Jimmy Butler gave him enough of an advantage to take the victory without suffering.
The match was a declaration of intent from the first quarter, a 9-0 run to start marked the line that the match would follow. RJ Barrett and Kemba Walker were trying to get their team back together, but Miami’s defense kept the Knicks under 40% shooting from the field throughout the first quarter.
Bam Adebayo showed his facet as a passer and added 5 assists in the middle of the first quarter. Butler and Herro seized the moment and the Heat had a 14-point lead after 12 minutes. In the second quarter, the Knicks would find their best offensive version and managed to get closer to 10 points thanks to RJ Barett and Obi Toppin. However, Jimmy Butler would cut the reaction of the visitors leaving the distance at 13 before passing through the locker room (59-46).
Vincent, PJ Tucker and Jimmy Butler shot the Heat’s lead to 21 points to start the second half. Especially inspired was Butler, who offered a recital on how to attack the rim. The 30-point difference came thanks to a three-point festival. Duncan Robinson, Tucker and Herro were deadly from beyond the perimeter. In the last quarter, with the match already decided, the Knicks closed the gap by 14 points (110-96).
In the statistical section, the most outstanding performance was that of Jimmy Butler. The Heat star finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in less than 30 minutes of play. Duncan Robinson was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points. For the Knicks, Obi Toppin stood out, adding 18 points coming off the bench.
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With this defeat of the Knicks they are already 5 in the last 6 games. The team’s record remains at 23-26, outside even the positions of play-in. Fournier faced the media at the end of the game. “When you lose like that and you’ve been so overpowered, it doesn’t feel good. Nobody likes it. There is disappointment and a little anger, “confessed the Knicks player.
The one that was a revelation team last season is not fulfilling the objectives set. Tom Thibodeau did not want to save anyone from the team’s bad moment.“The issue is not just the headlines. The bench did some good things, but we need everyone to play well», declared the technician.
(Photo by Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images)