The shorthanded Knicks needed to control a must-win Game 4. Instead, they continually played from behind as the rival Heat rolled to a 109-101 victory and a 3-1 series lead.
Miami straight outplayed the Knicks. They showed cohesion while New York could never quite get in a rhythm. Instead of the league’s worst offense, the Heat looked like an unstoppable force and not the No. 8 seed.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday in front of what should be a fiery Madison Square Garden crowd.
Some takeaways:
Tom Thibodeau’s big mistake. Immanuel Quickley’s sprained ankle kept him out of Game 4 and in the days leading up to it, coach Tom Thibodeau said “everything was on the table,” even playing benchwarmers Evan Fournier or Derrick Rose.