If you’ve been sparing with Heat fans on social media over the last couple of days, one common theme you’ll find among their arguments is: “The playoffs are different.” Did the Knicks go 3-1 against Miami in the regular season? Playoffs are different. Did Josh Hart mostly hold down Jimmy Butler? Playoffs are different.
Well, after Game 1, it would appear that those Heat fans are correct. Maybe their guys can dick around for the entire regular season, nearly miss the postseason, and then suddenly transform into a juggernaut. They certainly looked the part over the last three quarters on Sunday.