Heat Storm By Knicks

     The Miami Heat sunk the New York Knicks 105-86 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Kaseya Center on Saturday. Both teams have not played a contest in four days since Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The Heat are ahead in the best-of-seven series 2-1. 

     Jimmy Butler returned to the Heat lineup after missing Game 2. It was the Knicks first postseason appearance in Miami since 2012. Both clubs have faced each other in the NBA Playoffs on five previous occasions. 

     Miami went on a 23-10 run in the first eight minutes to begin the game. The Heat had a 29-21 lead at the end of the first quarter. Miami scored six unanswered points to start the second frame on their way to a 15-4 spurt and had a 19-point margin 44-25 with 8:26 left in the first half. New York responded with an 11-4 advantage and trailed 48-36. The Heat were still up 58-44 at halftime. 

     The Heat led by double digits throughout the third quarter, which included eight straight points in the middle of the frame. They led the Knicks 87-70 heading into the final frame. Miami had an 8-3 spurt at the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

     Jimmy Butler led the Heat in scoring with a game-high 28 points in the victory. Bam Adebayo was able to contribute a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Max Strus finished off strong as he dropped in 19 points.

     Jalen Brunson had a club-high 20 points for the Knicks. Two players compiled double-double for New York. Josh Hart got 15 points and 12 rebounds while Julius Randle added 10 points and 13 rebounds. R.J. Barrett chalked up 14 points in the loss.