The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 106-104 on Thursday night as RJ Barrett recovered from a late-game benching with 30 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein made crucial plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute.
After Erik Spoelstra successfully disputed a decision that resulted in a Heat foul becoming a Knicks turnover, New York could win. However, Tyler Herro’s possible game-winning 3-point attempt hit the rim and missed.
For the Knicks, who closed the gap on Miami for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Julius Randle added 23 points, ten rebounds, and six assists. Even though his biggest contribution was a pass, Quentin Grimes scored 17 points.
With 33 seconds left, he dribbled into the paint and threw a ball underneath to Hartenstein for a slam, cutting the Knicks’ advantage to one. The Heat had an opportunity to tie when Herro’s game-tying 3-point attempt missed out, but Hartenstein blocked a pass, and the Knicks got the ball to Randle all by himself for a slam and a 106-101 advantage.
Before Herro’s corner-shot miss, the Heat had a chance after Max Strus’ 3-pointer trimmed it to two.
For the Heat, Bam Adebayo finished with 32 points and nine rebounds, Herro added 25 points, and Strus added 17 points.
Despite playing missing point guard Jalen Brunson, who was out due to an illness linked to COVID-19, the Knicks ended a two-game losing streak.
Barrett started the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Lakers for around five minutes, but he never returned for the remainder of the regular or overtime. The Knicks lost 129-123. Barrett made some powerful drives to the basket for efficient buckets in the fourth, denying coach Tom Thibodeau the opportunity to think about taking him out late this time.
With an 11-0 run to begin the third quarter, the Knicks increased their advantage to three points, 62-48, while the Heat missed their first seven baskets. After missing his first seven attempts, Kyle Lowry sank the game-winning 3-pointer as Miami recovered for a 69-66 lead. Then Adebayo made a jumper to open a 21-4 run.
With another 11-0 run, New York quickly regained the initiative and led 77-72 at the half.