An impossible “fadeaway” at the end of possession in front of a big defense from Bam Adebayo, an offensive foul on a mobile screen, a 3-point brick… This is what it looked like Julius Randle’s first encounter on the floor of the Heat tonight.
The interior of the Knicks did not shine much more by its choices thereafter. Despite a substantial playing time of 38 minutes, he was content with 10 points scored, with a bad 4/15 on shots including 0/5 from afar, and 14 rebounds.
Bothered by the physical density of Bam Adebayo? ” If it’s one-on-one, I don’t really care who it is to be honest. It’s more about making the right choices when the defense tightens », Analyzes the strong winger, whose team ended up losing largely in this Game 3 (105-86).
His speech joins that of his coach. ” I think we were solid in defense “Begins by delivering Tom Thibodeau, recalling that Miami averaged 124 points in the first round against the Bucks, against 105 last night.
” But offensively, we did not play as we wanted. We also need energy in attack. And I don’t put that on the back of a particular player, because I think it’s the result of a collective work. “, continues the coach. His training has just signed one of his worst offensive performances of the season, the worst in the playoffs. If Miami only shot at 39% success, including 22% from 3-pointers, New York did worse: 86 points scored at 34% (31/91), including 20% from afar (8/40) .
If we get the ball out, good things will happen
” We didn’t make any ‘stops’ at the start of the match, so we couldn’t get easy baskets. We paid the price. The duels were different so you have to read the game. And when you enter, they will fall on you and you have to trust the pass. So it’s not a question of who you attack but of reading the game. If you get the ball out, good things will happen, it’s the best way to create rhythm. First you have to create space, then rhythm “, Claims the New York technician, whose players have generated only 15 modest assists.
And who failed to establish this rhythm for most of the evening, creating sometimes very poor offensive phases with too many one-on-ones or forced shots.
“ Everyone has this responsibility. If we have three well-placed players and one guy who isn’t, then the whole team suffers, so everyone has to play their part. It was more important than the rest. If we trust the pass, we will create good shots. We got bogged down and it was complicated in attack. Congratulations to them, they defended well “Ends up greeting Thibodeau who is waiting for a reaction from the Knicks in Game 4.
