Heat secure 108-101 Game 1 win vs Knicks on the road, steal home court again
Miami is the first 8th seed ever to win 5 out of their first 6 playoff games.
The Miami Heat stormed into Madison Square Garden on Sunday and picked up right where they left off, securing the Game 1 victory 108-101 over the New York Knicks. They have stolen home court advantage in the first two rounds of these NBA Playoffs. This Heat squad is the first 8 seed in NBA history to win 5 of their first 6 games to start the playoffs.
Erik Spoelstra Heat teams are 16-3 when they win Game 1 of a best-of-7 series. Spoelstra is also now 9-2 against coach Tom Thibodeau in the NBA playoffs.
Miami did this in a complete team effort. Jimmy Butler led the team in scoring and had an almost effortlessly efficient double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. However, players like Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent, Kevin Love, and Caleb Martin all had multiple big moments in this game.
Even Max Strus got hot with a few 3 pointers to open the second half of the game. Vincent dropped 20 points and 5 assists, including five buckets from 3-point range and a big-time clutch one late in the 4th, which could’ve easily been a 4-point play (had the ref called the correct call).
Kyle Lowry had his fingerprints all over this one off the bench from the very start. He made an impact offensively with his own shot creation and for his teammates, as well as making some huge defensive plays.
Lowry hit a difficult dagger jump shot to seal the deal for Miami in the final minutes.
This can’t be an accurate recap without mentioning Kevin Love. The former champion and veteran took the game over with his insane outlet passes in the 3rd quarter. He had 3 of them to be exact, and helped completely steal the momentum for the Heat. He hit numerous 3-point splashes as well.
Love is turning out to slowly but surely be an upgrade over the services of PJ Tucker in that PF spot.
Caleb Martin had some ridiculously athletic plays on both ends tonight including a clutch chase down block on RJ Barrett in the 4th.
Bam Adebayo was a little quiet offensively, but still showcased his elite versatility. Taking the responsibility of guarding positions 1-5 and hitting some critical shots was big in his 16 point and 8 rebound night. He also shot an efficient 7/13 from the field; better than 50%.
The Heat have been winning games in these playoffs while being down double digits and completing a comeback. This team likes to play with their backs against the wall, and tonight was no different.
Even while picking up the big win, the attention now turns to Jimmy Butler, who rolled his ankle pretty bad in the final quarter of the game. Like the absolute warrior he is, he stayed in the game and ultimately won it in front of a hostile environment.
He will now have a full day to rest and get treatment on that ankle, hopefully allowing him to play in Game 2.
Miami will look to snag a 2-0 series lead while playing on the road back inside MSG on Tuesday night.
Jimmy has the players believing in themselves and Spo is doing the best coaching job with what he has in the playoffs. Even the peripheral rotation players such as Robinson, Hioghsmith and Zeller are doing their parts. The regular season is now just a distant memory. No excuses and no regrets. We can all agree, we never expected they would get by the Bucks, considering the way they played during the regular season and the play-in tournament. Like RC says, now the team is "playing with house money" so let them "go for what they know." I'm enjoying every minute of every game and intend to stay positive the rest of the way, regardless of the results. Are you listening heat for life? Good times!
GO HEAT!!!
WHAT A DAY FOR SOUTH FLORIDA! PANTHERS BEAT #1 SEED BRUINS IN OT! ANOTHER #8 SEED BEATS THE #1 SEED!