The New York Knicks had no answer for Jimmy Butler.
Butler, one of Tom Thibodeau’s favorite former players, took over in the third quarter and led the Miami Heat to a season sweep of the Knicks, 98-88, Monday night at The Garden.
Butler scored 27 points, including 15, in the pivotal third quarter as the Knicks defense collapsed.
Miami was red-hot in the pivotal third quarter. The Heat shot a scorching 68.4 percent en route to 39 third-quarter points after only scoring 36 in the first half. New York’s seven-point halftime lead quickly evaporated inside the first three minutes of the third quarter.