Jimmy Butler is not on the field, struggling with the after-effects of the ankle sprain suffered in game-1, but the Knicks are still equal at the beginning of the last quarter against the combative Heat. A 35-28 run is needed, coming back from -6 in the last 12 minutes to find the tie in the series, thanks to a four-point play by Jalen Brunson.
Returning to the field after missing game 1, Julius Randle also contributed to the cause by finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists with 8/18 shooting, 3/9 from long range and 6/6 with free throws. RJ Barrett is also ready with 24 points (5/9 from three) and Josh Hart doesn’t go far from a triple double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, finding a victory he just couldn’t escape after losing the race. 1.
However, the Heat are optimistic for the continuation of the series, having managed to bring the race point to point in the final even without having Butler available. Caleb Martin replaced him finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 22 points, followed by Gabe Vincent’s 21, Max Strus’ 17 and Bam Adebayo’s 15 with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love, decisive in game-1, close by shooting only 5/19 from the field, but Miami leaves the Big Apple with home advantage in the series.