Jalen Brunson on Tuesday night has 13 of his 30 points in the third half to lead the New York Knicks to win over the Miami Heat.
Jimmy Butler, Miami’s main standout, did not play due to an ankle injury in the first game. The Knicks, on the other hand, had the return of Julius Randle, who also injured his ankle in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the first half, the Knicks have nine of their first points on three-pointers. However, the Heat also used the device and, with five minutes, Kevin Love turned for the team in 16 to 13.
Gabe Vincent left in 19 to 15, but RJ Barrett and, later, Randle, replaced the hosts in front in 20 to 19. In the sequence, the teams exchanged the lead, until Immanuel Quickley made a basket to make it 31 to 29 for the Knicks.
The Heat continued to compete despite playing away from home and without two of its key players. In the second half, Duncan Robinson hit three and the Florida team led by 38 to 35.
Meanwhile, Barrett continued as the main offensive option for the Knicks. Then Cody Zeller extended it to 40-35.
Then Robinson hit another from the perimeter and the lead increased to six. Caleb Martin increased to eight, but Randle scored five straight points for New York.
Martin made it 48-43, but Randle was fouled on his three-pointer and the gap narrowed to two. Then, Kevin Love hit three to close the first half at 54 to 51 for Miami.
On the return of the break, Max Strus left it at 56 to 51. Then, he made a layup to put Miami ahead by 62 to 56. Strus had been leading the Heat with 11 points in the period, but the winger was injured and went to the locker room.
Until then, the visitors led by 71 to 66. Then, Jalen Brunson, erased in the first half, made eight in a row to turn 74 to 73 for the Knicks on top of the Heat. However, the teams exchanged the lead until Gabe Vincent left at 77 to 76 for Miami.
Then, in the third half, the teams followed at the same pace. Afterwards, Vincent scored eight consecutive points for Miami and the score was 90 to 85.
Isaiah Hartenstein cut for the Knicks, but Martin hit another three for the visitors, who led 93 to 87. Then, Vincent had three free throws, converted all and left at 96 to 93. But Josh Hart and, later, Brunson, turned to the hosts at 99 to 96.
Brunson made it 101-96, but the Heat had four straight points to cut it to one. Hart hit three and the Knicks led by 104 to 100.
On free throws, Randle extended to six, with one minute left to go. But the Knicks made mistakes, and then Robinson hit a three with 22 seconds left. Hart went to free throws and gave final numbers to the game.
