In Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, the Miami Heat utilized a game plan to shut down Jalen Brunson and take advantage of the New York Knicks’ defensive struggles. Jimmy Butler dropped a bombshell take on the Heat’s approach, explaining that they made Brunson work hard for every shot, denied him any space, and challenged other Knicks players to step up. This strategy paid off as the Knicks’ offensive rating dropped by 6.8 points below their season average.
Jimmy Butler on all the attention he received tonight from Knicks defense: “I actually love being double teamed because that just means one of my teammates is open. If I don’t find them, somebody is going to find them and I get to see if I can score over a double team.”
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) May 9, 2023
Despite Brunson’s impressive performance with 32 points and 11 assists, the Knicks’ struggles on defense ultimately cost them the game. Miami outworked New York and had a 118.5 offensive rating, 5.5 above their season average. Butler led the charge with 27 points and 10 assists, carving up the Knicks’ defense.
Miami’s dominance in the game was evident in the final score of 109-101, which didn’t reflect how one-sided the game was. The Heat now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead as the teams head to New York for Game 5.
Several factors contributed to the Heat’s victory, including their gang rebounding with 13 offensive rebounds, Bam Adebayo’s 23 points and 13 boards, and Max Stays’ 16 points with four 3-pointers. Kyle Lowry also stepped up on the defensive end and scored 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle did not bring a consistent effort and fouled out with 3:08 left in the game. Despite finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds, Randle had some lazy defensive efforts and missed impressive plays due to mental checkouts. Overall, the Heat’s effective game plan and dominant performance gave them the upper hand in Game 4.
Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Adebayo Lead Charge in Game 4 Win over Knicks, Seize Commanding 3-1 Series Lead
The Miami Heat have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks with a 109-101 victory in Game 4 on Monday. The Heat are now one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four years.
Jimmy Butler was the star of the show once again, recording 27 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in a stellar two-way performance. Bam Adebayo was also impressive, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The game began with Adebayo dominating New York’s frontcourt, staking the Heat to an eight-point lead before halftime. Butler then took over in the second half, leading Miami’s charge to keep the Knicks at bay.
Despite the Knicks’ efforts, Miami had an answer for every spurt of momentum they attempted to generate. The second half saw multiple New York players foul out and Miami grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.
Miami’s methodical approach in the second half allowed them to put the game away and take a commanding lead in the series. Game 5 will take place in New York on Wednesday, where the Heat will have an opportunity to close out the series and advance to the next round.
