4 Takeaways From Knicks vs. Heat Game 1

The Miam Heat came into Madison Square Garden for Game 1 and left with a massive 108-101 road victory to steal homecourt advantage away from the New York Knicks. A Knicks team that missed seemingly every single jump shot and shrunk in the second half while the Heat rose to the occasion.

Here are 4 takeaways from the Knicks Heat Game 1:

1. Thibs punted this game

With about 5 minutes left in the game, Jimmy Butler twisted his ankle but stayed in the game climbing gingerly up and down the court. The Knicks offense did absolutely nothing to take advantage of the fact that there was a defender on the court who should’ve been in a walking boot.

“F**k”

— Spo on Jimmy Butler injury pic.twitter.com/zv2PqpzeAC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 30, 2023

The refusal to attack the handicapped defender reminded me of the Knicks last time in the playoffs when they allowed Trae Young to catch his breath by standing in the corner guarding the stationary Reggie Bullock instead of using pick and rolls to force him into the action and make him work on both ends of the floor.

But Thibs proved he’s a different cat now.

Last series, Thibs benched a struggling Julius Randle and allowed Obi Toppin to play the entire 4th quarter in a big W. I have to believe the stubbornness of Thibs has subsided like, we just saw it. I have a hard time immediately calling him trash again after what he just did against Cleveland.

But man, Thibs better have some big adjustments ready or else they just handed the Miami Heat a very winnable game.

2. This is the worst Jalen Brunson will play

Jalen Brunson scored 25 points with 5 boards and 7 assists and this was the bad Brunson game. He went 0-for-7 from 3 and committed 5 turnovers. I don’t think he has a worse game for the remainder of this series. Some of those turnovers were disgusting. Brunson typically has complete control of the court with the basketball in his hands but looked off in Game 1.

Jalen Brunson is not missing seven 3’s again. The Heat did a great job of packing the paint every time Brunson penetrated and he was surrounded by guys like Obi Toppin and Josh Hart, who aren’t confident enough shooters to let it rip without thinking first and RJ Barrett, who is way too overconfident of a shooter.

I think getting Quentin Grimes and his quick shooting trigger back in the starting lineup could really help bail Brunson out of double teams and the paint collapsing in on him.

3. Unfortunately, they need Julius Randle

Julius Randle in the 4th quarter is the most nauseating player in the NBA. But Julius Randle in the first half is actually huge for this team. He turns every basketball game into a rugby match and the Knicks are at their best when it becomes a no-holds-barred street fight because it often makes other teams play out of character to try and match the Knicks combat style. I don’t think Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson want to be shouldered in the mouth by Randle as he double and triple pumps in the paint before inevitably shanking a layup and then berating a ref.

I love Obi Toppin and think there’s a future for him in the NBA but he works best in small doses for now. He looks a lot more talented coming in for Randle after he commits a terrible foul and tries to put a referee in a figure-four leg lock.

But a full game of Obi ain’t it. He gets lost on defense and for some reason, will launch 5 straight bricked 3’s and then just confidently step into a 6th brick. At least Randle will try to drive into the lane after a few misses. Obi was playing like he had money on the Heat.

4. Sometimes, shots just don’t go in

At the end of the day, the Knicks missed a lotttt of great open looks. Sometimes, shots simply do not go in the basket. This team shot 20% from 3 and 60% from the free throw line. That won’t happen again. This is not the atrocious shooting team of two seasons ago.

I am a bit concerned about Immanuel Quickley who seems totally irrelevant for a few games now. He looks like he isn’t playing with the same aggressiveness as in the regular season. Perhaps it’s due to playing with Jalen Brunson instead of replacing him on the court. IQ is differing a lot more and he’s a far better shooter off the dribble than he is catching and shooting.

Whatever. It’s 1 game. Knicks in 5. Gentleman’s sweep soon cometh.

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