THE Knicks survived, act I! Crushed by the Heat at the two previous meetings Miamithe players of new Yorkback to the wall, actually took advantage of their return to Madison Square Garden to save their skins for the first time, securing a new trip to Florida for the sixth round.
As usual in these playoffs, it’s obviously Jalen Brunson who showed himself the most, since the Knicks point guard released an XXL performance with 38 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists (for a single loss of ball) to ensure, for at least one more game, the survival of his crew. All while playing the 48 minutes! Criticized (because criticizable) since the beginning of the series, Julius Randle for his part finally woke up to support his teammate but also RJ Barrettwhich discreetly but calmly continues its good campaign in “post-season”.
Opposite, the Heat were in the game until the end, despite an air pocket in the third quarter, but ended up paying cash for their absent outside address (13/43), in the end.
The “momentum” is still on the side of Miami, but the Heat players now have a little more pressure before returning to Florida. Another defeat and it would be Game 7 in New York…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Jalen Brunson’s masterpiece. Best player of the Knicks in these playoffs, and by far, the point guard was absolutely grandiose. He played the 48 minutes while struggling all along an all-terrain defense, and still compiled 38 points (12/22), 9 rebounds and 7 assists, for a single loss of ball! Small in stature but huge in heart and courage, he released the very, very, very big game to keep his team’s season alive, and guided his people to a Game 6 in Miami. Well done, Mr. Brunson.
– Knicks finally reconciled with outside shooting and offensive rebounds. With the exception of Game 2, the Knicks have shot horribly poorly from behind the arc in this series. In this, this Game 5 surely embodied a great breath of fresh air for the New York club, which planted 13 award-winning shots, including 4 each for Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Opposite, the Heat also scored 13 award-winning shots, but lost the offensive rebound battle (14 taken to 11 in favor of New York). Offensive rebounds that allowed the Knicks to score 12 points on second chances, but also, and above all, to collect passages on the free throw line (29/40, against 16/19 for Miami). This last point also perfectly embodies the satisfying face of the Knicks, surly and not passive as in the last two meetings. In short, the Knicks won because they finally regained their strengths. Now all that remains is to do it again in Miami, to snatch a Game 7…
– The Redemption (TBC) of Julius Randle. Disappointing in these playoffs, especially in this series against Miami, the strong winger of the Knicks responded when his team needed it most. Always imperfect in effort, rebound and defense in particular, he still showed a much more convincing face than in the last two games, and proved valuable by his volume of play (24 points at 7/13, 5 rebounds and 5 assists). It was about time, and this is obviously to be confirmed at Game 6 in Miami, where the Knicks still have to save a second match point…
– First outdoor address failure for the Heat. Incandescent behind the arc collectively since the start of the playoffs, the Heat actually had its first black evening on this plan, like the 0/7 at this distance from Kevin Love. The Miami players did score 13 award-winning shots (including 9 for Max Strus and Duncan Robinson), but on 43 attempts… Between general clumsiness and good defense of the Knicks on all players whose name was not Strus and Robinson, the There are multiple explanations, but the target was in any case not set. And New York took the opportunity to save its skin.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ RJ Barrett. Despite some hesitation in the “crunch time” which certainly gave Knicks fans cold sweats in Madison Square Garden and in front of their screens, the Canadian winger was decisive at the end of the game with important free throws. More broadly, throughout the match, he was essential for his volume of play (26 points and 7 rebounds), in particular his three award-winning shots and his aggressiveness towards the circle.
✅ Mitchell Robinson. For the first time in this series, the Mitchell Robinson of the first round was observed. Namely dominant on the rebound (11 takes), offensive in particular (5 takes). As a bonus, he even “shone” on the free throw line (4/8), while the Heat targeted him with a “Hack-A-Robinson” in the last quarter. Bodes well for his confidence ahead of an upcoming battle in Miami.
✅ Jimmy Butler. Quite discreet in attack compared to his playoff standards (19 points at 5/12), the Heat boss still had a hell of a good game because he did everything for his team. In particular “playmaking” (9 assists), but also, of course, defense (4 interceptions and 2 blocks). The Heat did not need him to do much more on offense: it was a better outside address around “Jimmy Buckets” that Miami needed.
⛔️ Kevin Love. Difficult evening for the Heat veteran, ineffective behind the arc (0/7) and therefore very quickly of little use in the Heat attack. His coach also preferred Caleb Martin for a good part of the match, more skilful (2/4 at 3-pointers) and sharp (11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists).
THE FOLLOWING
– Game 6: on the night of Friday to Saturday (1:30 a.m.), in Miami.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
