Every game from here on out is win or go home in this series. With the season on the line, the New York Knicks played their starting guards all 48 minutes of Game 5. Despite only getting rest during timeouts they both came up big in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Brunson scored 10 of the team’s 28 points in the final quarter and Quentin Grimes had the defensive play of the game. Brunson had 38 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to help keep the Knicks’ season alive. The Knicks won 112-103 forcing the series to a Game 6 back in Miami.
Julius Randle got off to a slow start but heading into the half he hit a step-back three-pointer giving the Knicks a three-point lead. Randle finished with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. The Knicks also got good contributions from RJ Barrett with 26 points and seven rebounds.
Clock winding down. RANDLE. GOT IT. pic.twitter.com/vb1QUe04n6
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 11, 2023
The Knicks were down by 10 at the end of the first quarter but they went on an 18-2 run in the beginning of the second quarter. In the third, they went on a 23-7 run in the third that built up a 73-54 lead midway through the third. The Heat would make a comeback and close the gap to 103-101 but the Knicks had enough to get over.
Keys to win Game 6
For the Knicks to win Game 6 they will more than likely need both Grimes and Brunson to play 40-plus minutes and it might have to be the full 48 minutes. They need big contributions from both Randle and Barrett. 20 plus points from both of them. Randle cannot get off to a bad start get him a couple of easy buckets and ride out from there. Mitchell Robinson will need to control the paint, so far Bam Adebayo has been getting the best of him down there.
Another thing is Miami struggled a lot in Game 5 from the 3-point range. If the Knicks can get another game from them like that they have a strong chance to bring this back to Madison Square Garden. Make sure Jimmy Butler does not go off for 35-plus. Throw bodies at him and make him change his approach to the game.