For a while it all seemed so simple. But when is it ever with the New York Knicks?
What would joy be without pain, nor relief without fear? In four quarters, New York induced those emotions and more to a sold-out crowd of 19,812 inside Madison Square Garden en route to booking another do-or-die Eastern Conference semifinal, this time in Miami Friday night.
Julius Randle (24 points), R.J. Barrett (26 points) and ringleader Jalen Brunson (38 points) were the three-headed monster the Knicks needed them to be against the NBA’s most best-coached franchise. The triumvirate’s combined 88 points were just enough to overcome a striking performance from Miami’s bench, who put up 42 to the Knicks’ eight.
New York’s quieter reserves came to life late, particularly Mitchell Robinson who knocked down several free throws in the clutch. Facing elimination, the Knicks knew the season-defining reality awaiting them. New York were without Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Immanuel Quickley and Evan Fournier, and yet none of that mattered, certainly not to the raucous Madison Square Garden faithful.
Whether it was their collective voice or a departure from the supposed energy-sapping South Beach weather, the Knicks started with a desperation and doggedness for which they had become known prior to Games 3 and 4 in Miami. New York’s will was evident, so too were the mistakes. Perhaps the urgency was too much early. Miami led 24-14 at the end of the first, which was serenaded by a chorus of boos.
Cue Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants sophomore defensive star to ease the frustration. His smile and swirling pink shirt brought an applause belying the on-court concerns. Fatman Scoop’s Be Faithful, echoed with the famous ‘Pick it up, Pick it up…’ And so the Knicks did, a 36-point second term began with a three-minute blitzkrieg. First, with a Quinten Grimes three, then an alley oop from Jalen Brunson to Obi Toppin. Four successive offensive scores sent towels swirling and Miami into a timeout with the Knicks down 26-24, less than two minutes in the second quarter.
Chants of ‘Jalen Brunson’ echoed from the Garden after draining and converting an and-one. Duncan Robinson dulled the almost deafening home crowd with a corner three after a 13-0 Knicks run. The frenzied three-minute 18-2 run was brought to a halt with a much-needed answer from Robinson and a rim-rattler from Bam Adebayo who hung above the rim, so as to metaphorically suggest his team weren’t going anywhere, as the Heat narrowed the deficit to 32-31.
After five consecutive New York misses, Miami regained some control without truly wounding the Knicks. As the pace settled, Brunson became the Knicks’ orchestrator. Such was the desire to shut him down Gabe Vincent received a technical foul trying to guard Brunson on an in-bound.
Adebayo reasserted the physical dominance displayed through Games 3 and 4 with a put-back jam in the final minute of the half. While that could’ve been the exclamation point, Julius Randle wasn’t about to let that happen. Under pressure to perform, the All-Star hit a step-back three to put a period on the topsy-turvy half and most importantly, the Knicks up 50-47.
The Garden resembled a home game in years gone-by, with seats spare in every corner as Barrett and Brunson knocked down back-to-back triples to start the second half. Brunson barked and demanded the basketball from a referee as he looked to inbound from the sideline, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on the wave of momentum and electricity pulsing through the arena. It only got worse after he drained a wide-open three to go up 67-54 with seven minutes remaining in the third.
Chants of ‘MVP’ came from Brunson while at the charity stripe. For Miami, things weren’t quite as exciting. NBA Champion Kevin Love threw his hands in the air, exasperated as Julis Randle got a kiss off the rim from behind the arc. On the next possession, the former Cavalier’s corner three bounced off the rim and into the arms of New York. For Miami, it was a night of longing, not Love.
It could have been easier for New York, if not for the defiance of Miami. A 17-point third quarter lead was eaten into by the road team, just when it seemed as if only one outcome was possible. Erik Spoelstra’s team cut it to four on several occasions in the fourth, before Jimmy Butler cut it to 103-101 with 2:37. Isaiah Hartenstein answered with a put-back jam, causing mass eruption. They both traded blows late but New York stood in the fire and came out with life yet.
Fittingly, Knicks icons Bill Bradley and Walt Frazier, were in the house – 50 years to the day from New York’s last championship – you wonder if they sense something special growing in the Garden.
The feel-good factor swarming Fashion Ave was born just four quarters from postseason ruin. New York face the same, daunting reality Friday in Game 6 in a much-changed environment. 48 minutes of flawed basketball and the Knicks will be free to roam South beach.
Just 13 teams in NBA history have come back from a 3-1 playoff deficit. If the Knicks play with the same defiance and spirit amid in Miami, the Garden will get a stage it has yearned for a decade. Then, the celebrities will be on the court, not the sideline.
Jalen Brunson was outstanding once again as the Knicks got a vital win against Miami Heat
Brunson drives on forward with the ball on a huge night for the Knicks in New York
Brunson led the way for the Knicks again on an enthralling night at Madison Square Garden
Jimmy Butler struggled to repeat his heroic displays for the Heat on Wednesday evening
Butler was not at his dominant best as the Knicks successfully shackled him at MSG
Julius Randle turns to celebrate with the Knicks crowd on a brilliant night for his team
Randle took a knock to the face early in the first quarter but was able to play on for the Knicks
Gabe Vincent runs beyond Jalen Brunson as he tries to rag the heat back into the game
The next game between the two teams – Game 6 – will be in Miami on Friday evening
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