Knicks Invade South Beach Shock Miami

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

Miami, Fla.- If there is one thing Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers fans have in common, it’s the fact they never show up on time at the start of games. The FTX Arena Friday night looked like it was a pre-season exhibition game with a crowd that was sparse to begin. The Knicks were coming off a 121-106 win in Charlotte Wednesday night. Miami faced the Stephen Curry less Golden State Warriors the same night and imploded in the fourth quarter in the 118-104 loss. Heated words were exchanged between head coach Eric Spoelstra and veterans Jimmy Butler and Udonis Harlem as they dropped their second game in a row. You would not think Miami was in first place in the Eastern Conference.

 

The New York Knicks were hoping to keep their faint playoff hopes alive while Miami looked to avoid their third loss in a row.

 

 

 

 

Butler didn’t seem like the last game affected him as he scored 10 first quarter points as Miami took a 8-point lead 32-24. The Knicks defense was shaky as they allowed the Heat to shoot 65% from the floor giving up 5, 3 pointers. Miami then went up 42-29 when Knicks head coach called a time out with 8:32 left in the second quarter. Butler would close out the quarter draining a basket at the buzzer giving Miami a 58-49 halftime lead.

 

The rout continued in the third quarter as the Heat went up by as many as 16 (76-60) when the Knicks stunned the crowd with defensive fourth quarter that shut down the Miami offense. 

 

This was done without forward Julius Randle with a quad injury and the Heat were without Tyler Herro. 

 

Led by Immauel Quckley’s 23 points, 20 coming in the final period, the Knicks outscored Miami 38-15 coming away with the 111-103 win. Four other Knicks scored in double figures. Butler led both teams finishing his night with 30 points. New York had lost the previous two contest against the Heat. 

 

“These guys have been great, said head coach Tom Thibodeau. “They been practicing well, they’re playing winning basketball and we want to just keep getting better.” It was the fourth time New York has come from behind when they trailed by 20 or more points. Quickley added, “every day we just try to get better.”

 

So what was a Miami Heat blowout through the first 3 quarters became one the best New York Knicks win this season. Only time will tell if the momentum carry them and get them to the postseason.

 

New York visits Detroit Sunday before coming home to play three straight games.