Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to a dominant 105-86 victory against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference series, taking a 2-1 lead. Adebayo has been an outstanding performer for the Heat in the playoffs, and his 17 points and 12 rebounds put him in elite company. He joined former Miami stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the only Heat players to have 20 or more double-doubles in team history in the postseason.
Heat players with 20+ double-doubles in the playoffs:
— Dwyane Wade
— LeBron James
— Bam Adebayo pic.twitter.com/RIRvvy8SeI— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 6, 2023
The Heat rebounded from their lackluster performance in Game 2, where they faltered in the fourth quarter and allowed the Knicks to tie the series. In Game 3, the Heat came out with a relentless defensive effort that stifled the Knicks throughout the game. The Knicks were held to a 34.1 percent shooting effort, which prevented them from making any significant inroads into the lead.
Miami’s defense kept New York’s star players Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett in check. Randle managed to score only 10 points on 4 of 15 shooting, while Barrett scored 14 points on 5 of 16 shooting. On the other hand, Bam Adebayo’s consistent performance helped keep the Heat in the driver’s seat right from the beginning of the game. He made 7 of 14 shots and pulled down four offensive rebounds.
The Heat’s victory in Game 3 was built on a strong team effort. Seven Miami players scored in double figures, and the team shot a solid 46.3 percent from the field. Jimmy Butler, who finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, played a critical role in the win. His intensity and leadership on both ends of the court helped set the tone for the Heat’s dominant performance.
The Heat will look to build on this momentum in Game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. As the series shifts back to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks will need to regroup and find a way to counter the Heat’s relentless defense and balanced scoring attack.
Bam Adebayo and Miami Heat Brace for Physicality in Second-Round Playoff Series Against Knicks”
The Miami Heat are facing a grueling second-round series against the New York Knicks, with players commenting on the physicality of the games being as tough as any they’ve played all season.
Bam Adebayo, who suffered an injury during the 2020 NBA Finals, says he can put this series up there with it in terms of physicality. The Heat center alluded to his nagging hamstring injury, emphasizing the importance of rest and recovery during the three-day break leading up to Game 3.
For the Heat, the biggest challenge is boxing out and securing rebounds against the Knicks’ aggressive play style, which involves crashing the glass and assaulting the rim. Despite the toll on their bodies, the Heat are battle-tested and ready to face the challenge head-on. Adebayo believes the physicality of the series truly begins when the ball goes up, or there’s a ball on the floor, and he’s confident that his team is prepared for the challenge.
As the playoffs continue and the physicality intensifies, every player will need to manage their aches and pains to stay healthy and effective. With the Heat facing a tough opponent in the Knicks, Adebayo’s emphasis on rest and recovery will be crucial to their success in this grueling series.
