Knicks make Heat ‘feel them’ to turn the tide in Game 2

For much of the first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, all anybody could talk about was the physicality of the New York Knicks. They beat the Cavaliers up inside, consistently outrebounding them and forcing turnovers into the paint. By the end of the series, it seemed like Cleveland simply wilted under the pressure. 

However, none of that was present for the first seven quarters of the series against the Miami Heat. 

The Knicks lost Game 1 108-101 and despite outrebounding Miami and scoring more points in the paint, they didn’t seem like they were the aggressor.

“I think they picked up the intensity a bit, played hard, made shots, and we didn’t,” said RJ Barrett after the Game 1 loss. 

“This is going to be a tough physical series and every game is different,” added Josh Hart. 

Yet, midway through the fourth quarter of Game 2, it didn’t look like the game would be any different than the first. The Knicks found themselves down by six points, despite Miami not having Jimmy Butler. This time, Miami had more offensive rebounds and seemed to be playing with way more energy and physicality than the Knicks were. 

But with just over five minutes to play, everything seemed to change. 

With 5:30 to go in the fourth quarter, New York had one possession where they had four offensive rebounds, including three by Isaiah Hartenstein, before Julius Randle found Josh Hart in the corner for a three to tie the game at 96. On the very next possession, Jalen Brunson would nail a contested three to put the Knicks up 99-96 and cap off a 12-3 run. 

That play seemed to be the spark that ignited the physicality of the New York Knicks.

They grabbed 16 rebounds in the fourth quarter, including six offensive rebounds, and brought that same physicality on the defensive end where they finally locked in on Miami’s shooters and prevented open looks off of Miami’s multi-screen offense. 

Much of that increased physicality stemmed from having Hartenstein on…