MIAMI — The Knicks’ Large 3 got here up so small in Sport 3.
Tom Thibodeau’s workforce can stand up to an off taking pictures night time from considered one of its three main scorers — Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett — however none of that trio acquired going offensively in Saturday’s 105-86 loss to the Warmth.
Within the Knicks’ season-low offensive output, Randle, Brunson and Barrett had been restricted to a mixed 16-for-51 from the ground and 2-for-17 from 3-point vary because the Knicks fell behind 2-1 within the sequence coming into Monday’s Sport 4.
“A variety of that begins with me,” stated Brunson, who additionally had taken the Knicks’ Sport 1 loss on his shoulders, branding {that a} “horrific” private efficiency. “They’re a really paint-heavy workforce if you drive the ball offensively. They’re going to break down.
“There’s plenty of eyes on me once I drive the ball, so I’ve to have the ability to discover guys and get them in the proper positions to take their pictures. It begins with me, and I do know I’ve stated this earlier than, I acquired to be higher.”
Brunson, who scored 20 factors (7-for-20) with seven assists, notably additionally appeared to twist the proper ankle that landed him on the damage report as questionable forward of Sport 2.
Thibodeau acknowledged that Brunson “could have tweaked” the damage, however the level guard insisted, “I’m all good and I’ll be prepared for Sport 4.”
Barrett had averaged 24.3 factors over his earlier 4 playoff video games, however he shot 5-for-16 from the ground (14 factors) and completed Sport 3 a team-worst minus-31.
“We’ve seen their zone earlier than, they performed plenty of zone final sport,” Barrett stated. “Received to be good, get into the center, get into the gaps, make performs.
Randle completed with 10 factors and 14 rebounds on Saturday, however he shot 4-for-15 and missed all 5 of his 3-point makes an attempt.
He sat out the primary sport of the sequence with a recurrent ankle difficulty earlier than returning for the Knicks’ Sport 2 win at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“Like I stated, you all maintain asking me. It doesn’t matter. I’ll be obtainable to play,” Randle stated. “I get myself prepared. In my thoughts, it’s not an element. I’ve acquired to discover a solution to play higher and get a win.”
Observe The Submit’s protection of the Knicks vs. Warmth NBA playoff sequence
Requested about Randle’s efficiency and energy in Sport 3, Thibodeau replied, “I believed defensively, we had been stable, however I believed offensively we didn’t play the way in which we wished to. I don’t put it on anybody participant, as a result of I feel it’s executed collectively.”
Randle additionally was embroiled in a mini-scuffle after hitting the deck on a second-half foul by Cody Zeller — with Isaiah Hartenstein pushing the Warmth’s backup middle earlier than Caleb Martin retaliated by shoving Hartenstein.
Randle dismissed that sequence as “not related” after the sport. He was extra involved that the Knicks by no means may get on observe offensively or go on a run to problem the Warmth within the second half.
“Yeah, that’s what we do. Been in a position to do this all 12 months. Right now not a lot,” Randle stated. “However hopefully we will get again heading in the right direction with that, discover a solution to make some pictures the subsequent sport and are available out with a win.”
