Led by Jimmy Butler’s 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, the No. 8 seed Miami Heat defeated the No. 5 seed New York Knicks in Game 6, 96-92. Bam Adebayo added 23 points and 9 rebounds for the Heat in the victory, while Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 41 points (14-22 FG) for the Knicks. After closing out this best-of-seven series, 4-2, the Heat will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will face the winner of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers series (currently tied, 3-3). Game 1 will take place on Wednesday, May 17 (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
The Miami Heat are now the second No. 8 seed in NBA history to reach the Conference Finals, joining the 1998-1999 New York Knicks.
With his 4th 30+ point game of the series tonight, Jalen Brunson joins Bernard King (5 games, 1984 1st Round) as the only players in Knicks franchise history with 4 or more 30+ point games in a single Playoff series.
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Quarter, he has 22. Back into the arms of Brunson. Brunson seeing the two defenders. Barrett trying to attack. Lowry on the steal. Lowry the flick ahead.
Strews to the rim. No, but a foul. And Max Strews is going to shoot too.
Driving that closeout from Julius Randle. It was so interesting talking with Tom Thibodeau.
11 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds.
Well, you can talk about Kyle Lowry's skill set and all the things he does really well on a basketball court.
The deeper you get in the playoffs, you also need super competitive guys and super intelligent guys, and Kyle Lowry is that.
7. 6 point lead for Miami.
Brunson, into the corner. Hard a 3. Airmailed it. Robinson couldn't get to it.
Adebayo the rebound. Miami controls.
Adebayo able to break the timeline, and now Miami will take a timeout.
Strews. Catch. Fire. In and out. Randle flies back for the rebound, and here's an opportunity for the Knicks.
Facing elimination. Brunson has been terrific.
Grimes. 1.30 to go. Back into the arms of Brunson. He'll let it fly.
Can't knock it down. Robinson the rebound, and is fouled on the flick out.
You have help behind you, but ultimately you just don't want him to have the ball.
You see the free throw struggles for Robinson this season.
It is nervously hoping for a late minute miracle as Robinson gives them one, hitting both free throws.
It's a base hit in the box score. 90-86 Miami in front.
1.12 to go. Butler trapped. Finds Vinson. Vinson on the attack. Adebayo!
For Miami. Here's Brunson. Off the handoff. Brunson through the lane.
Can't cup it in. No whistle. Adebayo the board, and a foul against New York.
Oh, and you can have an offensive foul here. Vinson is called for the personal as he gave a shot to Brunson.
And the ball back. It could be a potential five-point swing.
That could be a season-resuscitating call for the Knicks as Brunson hits the first.
Here it is again with a little bit of that wind-up and the contact up top deemed unnecessary.
Brunson hits the first and the second.
Brunson to inbound. Gets it to Randle. Gets it right back. Brunson bounces underneath and Harden lays it in.
It's a two-point game. What a swing.
Knicks facing elimination. The Heat trying to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.
40 seconds to go. Butler loves these moments. Butler elevates. Can't hit. Hard to rebound.
Knicks ball down two. One timeout remaining. A ten-second difference game in Shot Clock.
If you are the Heat, you do not want to give up a three at any cost.
Brunson spinning. Brunson leaning. Shoveling into traffic. He turns it over. Brunson turns it over.
And Butler is fouled with 14.4 to go.
Good job adjusting to that and the Knicks have just struggled to get quality shots off that unless it's Brunson.
Butler makes it a two-possession lead.
Barrett will inbound. Knicks have to go in a hurry. Grimes corners three. Airballs it. Struce the rebound.
And with 11.5 to go.
To the Eastern Semis thanks to that man. The Heat in 8C on the brink of the Conference Finals.
And Struce hits a bone.
Racing up the floor will jam it in. 41 points for Jalen Brunson.
Struce gets it ahead. Here is Vincent.
And that is it!
