Jalen Branson (47 points) and the Knicks punish the Heat

Spectacle, but mostly a lot of points and 3-point baskets in between Nix and the Heat at Madison Square Garden. It is to be expected, with two of the most prolific offenses in the league, and he did not fail on the floor.

It’s called the hero of the evening Jalen Brunsonthe author of his new points record at the Garden (47 points, with 8 assists), doc Mikal Bridges (24 points) was also decisive next to him, to help New York to pocket a victory against Miami of Kel’el Ware (28 points, 19 rebounds), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (23 points) or Norman Powell (22 points).

An important win for the recent NBA champions, who lost to Philadelphia two days ago and had to get back to work, against a team on a downward slope.

Karl-Anthony Towns misses

Between Kel’el Ware’s kill and the success of his 3-point shooters, the Heat certainly got off to the best start on the road (28-18), but this great dynamic only lasted for a while.

Because as soon as Jalen Brunson gets going, the debates become balanced. In addition, Mikal Bridges has a good night in scoring, unlike Karl-Anthony Towns, and does something in Florida’s defense, while Jalen Branson does not weaken to lead the Knicks to the lead at the break (66-62) with 18-5.

New York is then in its matchup, the outside address even gets cocky, and OG Anunoby replaces Mikal Bridges as offensive lineman Jalen Brunson. Kel’el Ware multiplies his jumps and long shots, but the gap remains. Despite Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Norman Powell, Miami is still chasing the score, and New York’s bench (Mitchell Robinson) is still valuable in stopping opposing attacks.

“In the zone,” Jalen Brunson doesn’t stop chanting to his defenders, under “MVP!” » from MSG. Kel’el Ware inflates his stats a bit more in the gap, but Mikal Bridges then OG Anunoby puts the final nails in Florida’s coffin. However, what represents the lowest result for Karl-Anthony Towns since his arrival in the Knicks (132-125).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– New York carried by its Initials BB. At home, the Knicks had to bounce back after their seven-game winning streak was snapped. Frustrated in the first half, they trusted Jaylen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, who scored 45 of their 66 points, to resist the Heat’s 3-point rush and then start the “run” that would get the team going in the second half. OG Anunoby was inspired, too, with 18 points after the break, but Mike Brown can thank his Brunson/Bridges duo, in full swing when he needed it most.

– Jalen Brunson, Garden MVP. The author of his best scoring match of the season, a few days after the MVP title of the NBA Cup, Jalen Branson is in great shape and the New York public is not wrong. “The MVPs!” MVP! » never fails to come off the stands when shooting free throws and, when we watch him play, we enjoy his ability to dictate his rhythm almost on command. Ultra clean in shooting and with the ball, only mistakes slowed him down last night, but this new performance still works in his favor, in terms of the MVP race.

– Miami continues its decline. Seventh loss in eight games for the Heat, who are sinking into their first major crisis of the season. Despite the good start of the match, under the leadership of Kel’el Ware who is getting stronger in the racket, Erik Spoelstra’s men gradually let go. Unable to contain New York’s shooters, they mostly floundered defensively, focusing mostly on offense where, even on a good night, it wasn’t (anymore?) enough against a big name from the East.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.