We won’t be long, to sum up this third match between new York And Miami : there was… no match. First meeting of the series played in Florida, this Game 3 actually saw the Heat fly over the debates, against Knicksdespite three days of rest (and therefore preparation) after Game 2, completely off the mark.
Destitute to watch in attack, like a once again catastrophic outside address (8/40), overwhelmed in defense against a fluid collective game, the men of a Tom Thibodeau seriously dominated by Erik Spoelstra in the battle of coaches sank very quickly, counting for example 18 points behind in the second quarter, and up to 21 points in the third…
Miami did not even need to force, and thus offers itself a golden opportunity to break Monday, still at home. On the Knicks side, one wonders how it is possible that the players played such a high-stakes match with such pathetic intensity, especially after their victory in Game 2. A failure can happen, of course, except that this Game 3 was rather a huge off topic on their part, and here they are almost with their backs to the wall… Another defeat in Game 4 and their season would be in very great danger of coming to an end in the next few days.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “momentum” has swung in favor of the Heat. Game 2, if it had finally been won by the Knicks in the “money-time”, still offered good certainties to Miami players, long in the game despite the absence of Jimmy Butler. This Game 3, won in an authoritative way against a New York team overwhelmed from the start and from all sides, then confirmed what we thought: the Heat, in this series, is for the moment the best team. Or at least the one that shows the best control, regardless of physical glitches. With the return of “Jimmy Buckets” now validated and one more game to come at home before returning to New York for the fifth inning, the South Beach club has the “momentum” with him in any case, and can push the Knicks on the precipice at Game 4 on Monday.
– Did the Knicks forget how to shoot 3-pointers? There is obviously irony here, but the problem remains serious for New York. Worst team in the playoffs after the first round in terms of outside address, the Knicks hit rock bottom in Game 1 of this series (7/34), before reassuring in the next game (16/40) . Unfortunately, this second leg was only a short-lived respite in a sea of awkwardness, since the men of “Thibs”, once again, sank offshore: 8/40! The Heat too, by the way (7/32), but the Miami players compensated with a domination in the paint (50 to 36). There is an urgent need to set the sights in New York.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Jimmy Butler. Rested in Game 1 after a scare in the ankle in the fourth quarter of the first inning, the Heat winger returned, unsurprisingly, with a knife between his teeth. Sober but sharp, he compiled 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. The boss is back.
✅ Bam Adebayo. Solid game from the pivot of the Heat (17 points and 12 rebounds), which flew over his face-to-face against Mitchell Robinson. The domination of the Knicks pivot against the Cavaliers racket is only a sweet and distant memory…
✅ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. Not many positives to take away from this game for New York, but the two Villanova alumni are part of it, for sure, compiling 35 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists. But they need help…
⛔ Julius Randle. Disappointing exit from the strong winger of New York, who in addition to being clumsy (10 points at 4/15 on shots) did not show a great will to make the efforts, defensive in particular. At this stage of the playoffs, it’s unfortunate…
⛔ Tom Thibodeau. Of course, the Knicks coach is not responsible for the bankruptcy of the players on the field, but he has his share of responsibility in the game plan. Or rather the absence of a game plan. What was the plan in attack ? And in defense? Why leave Quentin Grimes off the bench when the team is suffering sorely from its lack of external address? In short, the Knicks technician failed, like his team. After “out-coached” JB Bickerstaff in the first round, “Thibs” is severely “out-coached” by “Spo”.
THE FOLLOWING
– Game 4: on the night of Monday to Tuesday (1:30 a.m.), still in Miami.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
