By no means within the Knicks’ lengthy historical past — one which dates nearly again to World Struggle II — have they ever dropped a Sport 1 at residence and are available again to win a playoff sequence.
The Warmth declare even all that historical past isn’t sufficient to lull them into complacency.
“I positively assume that’s knowledgeable sports activities sort factor. However we’ve simply obtained to maintain our head within the dust, and hold our head within the floor,” Kyle Lowry stated of combating overconfidence. “On the finish of the day, we all know they’re going to return with a loopy effort [Tuesday], and we have now to simply match that effort from the leap ball.
“So this is among the issues the place [overconfidence is possible], however should you’re keen to simply hold your head down and hold your head targeted on the job and the duty at hand, you will discover a approach to get to that.”
Erik Spoelstra added, “I sense a deep respect for the Knicks out of our group. … We wish to capitalize on these alternatives as a lot as we are able to.We all know what to anticipate, what the Backyard will likely be like and what the response will likely be like from the Knicks. They’re a aggressive group similar to we’re.”
Gabe Vincent was one of many unsung heroes for Miami in Sunday’s Sport 1 victory. He had 20 factors, 5 assists and a steal, taking pictures 5 of 12 from 3-point vary.
Whereas the Warmth had been coping with Jimmy Butler’s ankle sprain, questionable for Sport 2, the Knicks have a pair of stars doubtful with their very own ankle woes.
Julius Randle, who missed Sport 1 with a sprained left ankle, was predictably listed as questionable for Tuesday.
Extra stunning was Jalen Brunson, who was added to the harm report with a sore proper ankle.
“We’ll see. It positively modifications issues. Julius is a good basketball participant, rebounding and ending [versus] our protection,” Spoelstra stated of Randle.
Observe The Put up’s protection of the Knicks vs. Warmth NBA playoff sequence
Brunson’s inclusion on the harm checklist was extra surprising, after posting 25 factors and 7 assists in Sport 1. Miami did make him a spotlight of their protection and held him to 0-for-7 from deep.
“Simply gotta keep disciplined. He’s such a artful man, and he’s clearly very clever along with his footwork and manipulates guys off angles and off his physique, so that you’ve gotta actually keep disciplined,” Caleb Martin stated of Brunson.
“Jalen’s nice. He missed some pictures for certain that he often makes, however we simply made it somewhat bit tougher, tried to select him up somewhat bit,” stated Lowry. “However Jalen’s actually an All-NBA sort participant, man. He’s modified their crew round.
“He’s unbelievably good and he’s solely going to get higher. A man like him can go off for 40, he can go off for a triple-double, he can do every part. So we’ve simply obtained to ensure we keep targeted on him, make his appears robust, make his job somewhat bit more durable.”
