Heat Today: Miami falls to .500 after Knicks’ second-half takeover

The Miami Warmth’s second lack of the season was largely one other story of two halves. Within the opening two durations, Tyler Herro led the best way together with his scorching hand as Miami’s protection let Karl-Anthony Cities prepare dinner. After halftime, the identical factor principally occurred, however Miami’s offense past Herro’s season-best efficiency didn’t really choose up.

Coming into Wednesday night time’s matchup towards the division-rival New York Knicks, Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra was blunt about what he anticipated compared to Miami’s prior two video games: “A ‘W.’”

On the opposite facet, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was complimentary of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo’s respective skills to influence video games, however neither Warmth star really took over as Herro’s 20 shot makes an attempt outpaced Butler and Adebayo mixed (14). 

Miami loved a powerful begin to Wednesday’s sport and took a 58-52 lead into halftime earlier than issues fell aside within the second half, just like its season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic, who outscored the Warmth by 15 within the remaining two durations to cap that win.

As KAT and firm obtained extra snug in Miami, cheers from Knicks followers grew louder whereas the Warmth’s offense sought cohesion till time expired. The Warmth are actually .500 and have misplaced seven of their final 9 matchups towards their longtime foe.

Recreation consequence: Knicks 116 (2-2), Warmth 107 (2-2)

• Knicks high performers: Karl-Anthony Cities (season-high 44 factors, 4-5 3-pt FG, 13 rebounds, two assists), Jalen Brunson (18 of twenty-two factors in second half, 9 assists, one turnover), Josh Hart (10 factors, 14 rebounds, six assists, one steal, zero turnovers)
• Warmth high performers: Tyler Herro (season-high 34 factors, 8-13 3-pt FG, seven assists, 5 rebounds, one turnover), Jimmy Butler (15 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers)

Tyler by way of the primary half:
🔥 20 factors
🔥 7-11 FGM
🔥 4 3s pic.twitter.com/2SYFvwcGhC

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 31, 2024

Key in-game stretch

• Interval: Your complete third quarter … once more
• Rating earlier than it fell aside: MIA 58-52 | Rating as soon as it fell aside: NYK 87-80
• The way it unfolded: Although Cities loved a high-scoring first half (24 factors), New York took over the sport as KAT grew stronger all through. He maintained his scoring contact within the second half, however his scorching hand turned infectious as his New York teammates discovered some scoring rhythm within the third quarter. Cities scored six on this interval as Jalen Brunson (10) and Mikal Bridges (eight, together with two 3s) helped carry the load. As soon as the quarter was prepared to start, Miami’s six-point halftime lead turned a six-point deficit. Cities’ 14-point fourth quarter successfully sealed the deal.

What the Warmth are saying

• Terry Rozier III (on when sport turned towards Miami): “I feel we needed to care for the third quarter as a result of it’s been hurting us these first three video games. We predict we managed it at first, and, then we didn’t stick with it. We didn’t do the issues that obtained us the lead. It’s powerful to not rating then get again on protection and undoubtedly not guard no one, particularly as soon as they begin feeling (themselves). It’s a bit of little bit of each, however you bought to present them credit score too.”
• Tyler Herro (on scoring duel towards Cities): “He’s a handful. He’s a 7-footer who can put it on the ground, or could make deep 3s. He’s clearly a handful within the paint. I feel he caught a rhythm early and was in a position to maintain that all through the entire sport. I feel we may’ve (completed) a greater job simply placing our bodies on him, making issues harder. Additionally, Bam obtained in foul hassle early, so Bam sort of couldn’t play aggressive on that facet.”
• Erik Spoelstra (on how Knicks turned sport round): “I don’t know if we held Brunson down within the first half. I feel it was very intentional, and it was well-documented that Cities hadn’t gotten going but this season, and Brunson talked about he was going to take the accountability to get him the ball, and he did. It was very clear they have been attempting to get him the ball, and Brunson was simply sort of facilitating within the first half. After which, when he wanted to make performs within the second half — significantly late third and fourth — he was ready to try this as nicely.”
• Jimmy Butler (on whether or not Cities’ huge night time was to New York’s credit score or Miami’s fault): “Somewhat little bit of each. I don’t suppose we made too many individuals’s photographs tough tonight — lazy on the defensive rebounding facet of the ball. We talked about that, so we’ve obtained to right that. I’d say that’s about it.”

Karl-Anthony Cities is DOMINATING the Miami Warmth and Knicks followers have taken over the world pic.twitter.com/qGH3YrS3cg

— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) October 31, 2024

Subsequent Warmth sport: Scroll only a wee bit extra.

Across the workforce

Who doesn’t love a superb getaway? Whereas Miami’s upcoming R&R will include a dose of labor, it’s laborious to not recognize a well timed journey to Mexico, the place the Warmth will tackle the Washington Wizards. The NBA Mexico Metropolis Recreation 2024 will probably be performed on Saturday and would be the NBA’s thirty third sport in Mexico since 1992, which is greater than any nation exterior the US and Canada. Saturday’s matchup will mark Miami’s third sport within the nation and Washington’s fourth.

The Warmth enter this matchup having received seven of the prior 10 conferences, together with a 119-107 victory the final time these groups met. We are going to preview NBA Mexico Metropolis 2024 in full tomorrow.

When and the way to watch: Saturday at 9:30 p.m. (EST) on NBA TV.

Up subsequent ➡️ #NBAenMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/sQGakTfH49

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 31, 2024

(Photograph: Jeff Haynes / Getty Photographs )