Karl Anthony-Towns, aka ‘Bodega KAT’, stood out with 44 points and 13 rebounds culminating in a spectacular comeback in the Miami Heat pavilion from 116 107.
The Knicks‘ star center scored 14 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter alone, including four rebounds. Additionally, he made 17 of 25 field goal attempts, including 4 of 5 three-pointers.
“We did a great job feeding the hand that was on the right track. It was hot and we played. He always made the right reads, whether he was making a block or getting fouled. “We have a lot of confidence in him,” Jalen Brunson told the newspaper. NY Message.
The aforementioned Brunson recovered from a somewhat gray start to support the visiting attack with 22 points and 9 assists. Also in double figures were Mikal Bridges (17); OG Anunoby (11) and reserve Deuce McBride with 11.
The point has already begun for Josh Hart who finally took to the field despite problems with his left ankle. The versatile forward collected his third consecutive double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.
«They are still the Nova Knicks even if DiVincenzo is no longer here. I mean, they still have three. You know they try to reach the promised land with transfers like that. You understand that they no longer want to be eliminated in the second round or the Eastern finals,” Bam Adebayo said.
The triples fall
Until the final day, Tom Thibodeau’s men were last in the NBA for attempted threes with 28.3 per game. However, during their visit to Florida, they hit 40 3-pointers, of which they connected 18, a success rate of 45%.
KAT and Mikal Bridges each added four; Brunson and Anunoby score three; and Josh Hart and reserve McBride each added two.
“We’re a constantly working team, so it’s still going to cost us a little bit,” Thibodeau acknowledged. «But we are throwing away a good percentage. I mean, they’re good releases. I think we’re third in offensive rating… We shoot a very high field goal percentage. And also from the three-point line. But the volume has to increase as we share more responsibilities,” he explained.
Other highlights
Knicks: This is the first of four consecutive games they have played. Ahead are the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks.
Center Jericho Sims is back in the rotation in place of recruit Ariel Hukporti with 2 points and 3 rebounds in 9 minutes of play.
Heat: Tyler Herro had an extraordinary game with 34 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists with an 8/13 in triples.
Terry Rozier III added 16 points and seven assists; and Jimmy Butler scored 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Until next time
The Knicks will travel to Detroit next Friday to face young Cade Cunningham’s Pistons and the Miami Heat will fly to Mexico City on Saturday evening to play against the Washington Wizards.
(Cover photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)