The opportunity to drive the point home and take a decisive advantage. That’s why the Heat played basketball tonight, facing the Knicks already pressed by the imperative of a victory to keep a glimmer of hope of qualification. Finally ? A 109-101 victory for the Heat, with experience and coaching. Be careful, the holidays are getting dangerously close for New York!
Here are the statistics of the match!
If this series has accustomed us to many times that it was defensive, especially on the Miami side, the start of this Game 4 clearly denoted. Two attacks already well in place, which are exchanged blow after blow without putting more forms than that at the time of protecting the basket. Jimmy Butler is well in his match, Max Struss warms up quietly and Gabe Vincent improves the stolen balls in the hands of the Bockers. It is Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle who answer for New York, the role of bosses of the team is well held, even if we already feel that the game is more winded.
What will really start the meeting? The first big rotation of the Heat. While Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo rest, the substitutes make the gap. And it’s a pure reason for satisfaction for Erik Spoelstra: that of seeing his bench holding out against the opponent when the bosses of his group are blowing. And this gap? Six points, then eight, then more than ten. Back on the field, Bam Adebayo is well fed and doing very badly, while Jimmy Butler offered one of the counters of the season against Quentin Grimes, who should never have tried to go to the poster on M’sieur Buckets. All that to say that at halftime, it’s eight pawns away … and the Knicks are already in trouble.
Damn.pic.twitter.com/bbXd7XAYnY
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 9, 2023
They will have the opportunity to come back at the start of the second period, but very quickly, the Heat get their hands dirty. Dog tusks, forcing New York to take big shots, while the other side has the answer. Big defense close to the circle? And let Max Struss plant an assassin shot from the Everglades. New York is doing its job offensively, but again, Erik Spoelstra gives orders to make it easier for his players : attack on RJ Barrett, who defends only on odd days obviously. Tom Thidodeau takes his time out, but he can’t find a flaw in the opposing game, we are clearly trying to break the Heat’s dynamic.
The worst ? When the Heat aren’t downright skilful, NYC doesn’t even improve. The rebounds, the second balls are left in Miami and force the visitors to defend more than 30 seconds. It will be necessary to count on baskets in transition to force the Spo ‘to stop the game, more than six points between the two teams… but a glaring difference in the collective involvement. All Miami players who came into play scored. At the start of the last quarter, the South Beach substitutes scored 26 points, compared to only 10 in New York. And the offensive difference is all found. Kyle Lowry causes just ultra precious faults on Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, experience speaks.
The 10 Heat players who put a toe on the court all scored.
Contribution of everyone, balanced score distribution.
51% shooting, 39% three-pointers, 90% throwing. Everything rolls.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 9, 2023
One of the other differences of this match? Defensive rotations: Often the Heat players floated very effectively downstairs, to help the late buddy on the drive. And an almost terrible observation, the one that we could probably play for hours and hours without the Knicks frankly coming back in the wheels of Miami. The overall defensive management of Florida’s men is perfect, and Julius Randle receives his sixth personal foul on a force pass brilliantly provoked by Max Struss.
Too weird as a game.
Never had a 12 point difference, never really had a tie either. The impression that we have been yo-yoing between Heat +5 and Heat +10 for an hour.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 9, 2023
We were talking about the bench: without effective and empowered substitutes, Thibodeau undoubtedly pulled the rope at the holders level. Data that is expensive at the end of the match, against a Heat team that has managed its playing time much better to have five guys still fully on the field. Final score 109-101, and the feeling that Miami is simply above. See you at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, for a cleaver match. It will be necessary to review the copy on the Knicks side, because beyond the defeat, the holidays will await them in two days in the event of a bad result.
Score final, 109-101 Miami !
The Heat lead 3-1 against the Knicks.
The Heat are 1 win away from the Conference Finals.
The Heat started the Playoffs in 8th place.
The dream continues in Florida.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 9, 2023
2023-05-09 02:17:19
#Heat #Knicks #York #verge #elimination
