Kel’el Ware avenges the Heat against the Knicks!

The heat takes revenge! After battling hard at Madison Square Garden on Friday night before walking away with defeat (140-132), the Floridians got back to winning ways last night, again against New York, winning 115-113 at the end of a battle that was still as bitter as ever, falling in their favor this time. The three of Mitchell-Powell-Ware did what was needed to ensure the shooting, while opposite Karl-Anthony Towns watered a little (7/22), and Friday’s X factor, Landry Shamet, went from 36 to 10 small points, on 2/11 shooting.

It took three more quarters to decide between the two teams. The Knicks showed their ambition but fell to an impressive Miami side, who regained the lead thanks to Simone Fontecchio’s three-pointer 3/4 to start the match and 11-5 before the break to take the lead again, with Davion Mitchell’s three baskets including two arrows for 3-51 (55).

Karl-Anthony Towns regained momentum after returning from the locker room, and New York responded with a 10-1 victory capped by a dunk by Mikal Bridges (70-75). Drew Smith twice and Simone Fontecchio still had to work for the rain to stop before the end of the third act (81-80). Money time looked tight, until a 14-3 run by Kaseia Center, or almost! Because on a 2+1 from Davion Mitchell and Kel’el Ware before the latter’s dunk to help Miami set up +10 (112-102), New York responded without batting an eyelid again with two 3-point baskets from Myles McBride and then one KAT after an offensive rebound by Josh Hart (114).

Mike Brown was right by fouling Davion Mitchell, known for his throwing difficulties, which was confirmed after 1/2 the leader (115-113). New York then had two chances to equalize, through Myles McBride and then Karl-Anthony, without being able to find the target.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The referees cut off the end of the match. The last seconds of the match were somewhat disturbed (spoiled) by the referee’s intervention. The latter may have felt like he needed to revisit the pictures in slow motion, whistling “goaltering” to Kel’el Ware for a counter that still counted on Karl-Anthony Towns with 13 seconds left. In the fog, the game continued with a jump ball that could have cost the Heat dearly, as it was New York who had the game ball to tie or win, for nothing, Kel’el Ware set up as a control tower to prevent attempts by Myles McBride and KAT just before the buzzer.

Shadow of KAT. Brilliant on Friday night, Karl-Anthony Towns was a shadow of the player seen at the Garden three days earlier. Despite his 1/8 shooting in the first half, he struggled and almost saved his team from a three-pointer that revived the Knicks in the final moments of the game, without being able to finish three times in front of the imperial Kel’el Ware. 22 points on a low 7/22 shooting including 1/7 from 3-point range.

Kel’el Ware is back again. Bam Adebayo can take his time getting back to top form, Kel’el Ware is here to do the job! Already the author of a solid performance at the Garden on Friday, the lanky post 5 did it again last night with three more blocks, including one that allowed Miami to steal the victory. Another complete game for him, with 16 points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes!

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.