Miami Heat cruise past Knicks 109-101 to take 3-1 series lead

NBA PLAYOFFS Miami Heat cruise past Knicks 109-101 to take 3-1 series lead

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 06:40 - 09.05.2023

The Miami Heat are now just one win away from the Eastern Conference finals after a commanding performance against the New York Knicks to take control of the series.

The returning Jimmy Butler tallied 27 points and 10 assists and Bam Adebayo finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Miami Heat moved a win away from their third trip to the Eastern Conference finals in the last four years.

Butler drives the Heat close to Conference Finals

Max Strus scored 16 points, Kyle Lowry added 15 and Caleb Martin had 10 for the Heat. Miami, the No. 8 seed, leads the East semifinal series 3-1, with Game 5 and the first potential clincher awaiting in New York on Wednesday night. 

Jalen Brunson finished with 32 points and 11 assists for fifth-seeded New York, while RJ Barrett had 24 points and Julius Randle scored 20 for the Knicks before fouling out with about three minutes left.

Randle gave an honest assessment of his team's performance after the game saying:

 "Maybe they want it more. I don't know. That's who we've been all year and we've gotta find a way to step up and make those plays if we want to keep this season alive"

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