Against the Knicks Miami keeps New York at 14 points in the last quarter, ending up 39 times on the line against only 16 of the opponents (13-2 the count in the last period: “Strange”, points out coach Thibodeau ). Third win in a row for Jimmy Butler (top scorer at 26, with also 10 assists and 8 rebounds) and teammates: the Heat have 20 points from Kelly Olynyk and 19 from Bam Adebayo.
New York thinks it has taken a decisive advantage – even +10 – in the third quarter (won 27-19) but gives in to the comeback of the Heat. The top scorer for the blue-orange is Elfrid Payton at 18 but the spotlight is on the second Knicks debut of Derrick Rose, best scorer from the bench with 14 points in just 20 minutes, 5/9 from the field and 2/3 from ‘arch. New York drops to 11 wins and 15 losses.