The mission was not impossible, but complex, and the Knicks haven’t failed by much. By only 4 points precisely (96-92), bowing in effect narrowly at the Heat in this Game 6.
Severely beaten on this same floor during the three then fourth rounds, the players of new York showed a much better face in this Game 6, pushing those of Miami in their entrenchments. For example, there were only 2 small points difference with 20 seconds remaining! A real trench war, intense and physical, between two very resilient teams, this match was therefore mainly played on small details, in particular the loss of the ball, which in the end weighed down the Knicks (12 to 7).
But, despite this short and bitter defeat, synonymous with elimination, New York can be proud of its season, which places it well in the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference. On the Miami side, this sublime adventure that is this 2023 playoff course once again brings Erik Spoelstra’s men to the conference final, against Boston or Philadelphia, where they will be far from being favorites.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Miami’s dream run continues. For the second time after… the 1999 Knicks, the Heat reached the conference final despite being seeded No. 8! At the time, the New York franchise had even reached the Finals but, before that, the Floridians will have to struggle with a series against the Celtics or the Sixers, who will play their decisive Game 7 on Sunday evening. Erik Spoelstra’s players won’t have home advantage, again, but they’ll still likely be favorites on paper, as their dynamics are better than Boston or Philadelphia, even if you don’t have to. underestimating the burst of energy caused by this rough six-game clash against physical and combative Knicks.
– Huge but lonely Jalen Brunson. He had already planted 38 points in Game 5 to save the skin of the Knicks for the first time and he almost did it again in Game 6, by scoring 41 points (at 14/22) on the Heat’s defense, completely helpless near the circle or behind the arc. Problem: the leader was far too alone, like the 1/6 of Quentin Grimes (3 points), the 1/10 of RJ Barrett (11 points) or the 3/14 of Julius Randle (15 points). In the most important game of the season, the “supporting cast” around Brunson collapsed and it paid cash against a collectively well-rehearsed Miami team. The former maestro of Villanova punctuates in any case with an XXL performance his season itself XXL, the best of his career (24 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the regular season, then 26 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the playoffs) . In New York, he reached a huge milestone, becoming one of the best point guards in the league and fully participating in the Knicks’ return to the fore in the East.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo. In a game closed in attack, the bosses of the Heat assumed their status, soberly but effectively. Butler compiled 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, including several important baskets in the last quarter, when Adebayo finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds, but above all an exemplary defense near the circle throughout the game. Miami battled in this Game 6, but the volume of its two pillars helped make the difference.
✅ Kyle Lowry. Overall very good in this series, the veteran point guard saved the best for last. Almost in double-double, with 11 points and 9 assists, but also 3 interceptions for a performance stamped “all-around”, the former Raptor brought a volume of decisive play against the “second unit” of the Knicks, very weak without Immanuel Quickley and his “playmaking”.
⛔ New York’s supporting cast. We mentioned it above: Jalen Brunson fought a much too lonely battle, while the Knicks collectively completed this match at 38% address. With the exception of Josh Hart, dynamic off the bench (11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block), the New York players were far too irregular, to more or less “serious” degrees, with holders who have particularly disappointed. Regrettable, knowing that in the end, there are only 4 small points difference…
THE FOLLOWING
– Game 1: the Heat is waiting to know its opponent in the conference final (Boston or Philadelphia).
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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.
