Heat Top Knicks, Advance To Eastern Semifinals
The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks, 96-92, at Kaseya Center in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday. The Heat won the series 4-2.
The Knicks had their backs against the wall in Game 6 of the series. Even though New York enjoyed a strong start against the Heat, the Knicks couldn’t hold on, and the Heat prevailed to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the win, the Heat will wait to see whether they will face the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers. New York looked good in the early going and jumped to a 31-24 lead in the first quarter. However, the Heat recovered and restored their lead following a 27-19 score in the second quarter. Miami controlled the game in the second half and never let its lead slip away. The Heat won the final two quarters, 23-21 and 22-21, and cruised to victory. The Knicks had chances in the final minutes, but their inability to execute doomed them. As a result, the Heat won the series in six games, 4-2.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists across 41 minutes. Bam Adebayo delivered 23 points, nine rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist. Max Strus had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Gabe Vincent had seven points, five assists and three rebounds. Kyle Lowry looked good off the bench with 11 points, nine assists, four boards and three steals.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 41 points, but his efforts were not enough. He also added four rebounds and three assists. RJ Barrett had 11 points and two rebounds, and Julius Randle had 15 points with 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. No other Knicks starter scored in double digits. Josh Hart had 11 points and seven boards off the bench.
The Knicks had their backs against the wall in Game 6 of the series. Even though New York enjoyed a strong start against the Heat, the Knicks couldn’t hold on, and the Heat prevailed to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the win, the Heat will wait to see whether they will face the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers. New York looked good in the early going and jumped to a 31-24 lead in the first quarter. However, the Heat recovered and restored their lead following a 27-19 score in the second quarter. Miami controlled the game in the second half and never let its lead slip away. The Heat won the final two quarters, 23-21 and 22-21, and cruised to victory. The Knicks had chances in the final minutes, but their inability to execute doomed them. As a result, the Heat won the series in six games, 4-2.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists across 41 minutes. Bam Adebayo delivered 23 points, nine rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist. Max Strus had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Gabe Vincent had seven points, five assists and three rebounds. Kyle Lowry looked good off the bench with 11 points, nine assists, four boards and three steals.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 41 points, but his efforts were not enough. He also added four rebounds and three assists. RJ Barrett had 11 points and two rebounds, and Julius Randle had 15 points with 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. No other Knicks starter scored in double digits. Josh Hart had 11 points and seven boards off the bench.
Lakers Book Ticket To Conference Finals
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 122-101, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
The Lakers jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors rallied to cut it to a five-point game heading into the second. The hosts reclaimed momentum in the second quarter and pushed their lead back up to 10 points at the break. The Lakers did not let up in the third and maintained a comfortable advantage, with a 14-point lead going into the final frame. The Warriors had no answer in the fourth, as the Lakers charged to their fourth win of the series, earning their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 30 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block, in 43 minutes. Austin Reaves followed up with 23 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Anthony Davis logged 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Laker shot 52 percent from the field, including 13-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo was the only other player to score in double digits for the visitors, as he totaled 16 points, four rebounds and a steal, off the bench. Klay Thompson finished with eight points, three rebounds and five assists. The Warriors shot 37.9 percent from the field, including 13-of-48 from deep.
The Lakers jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors rallied to cut it to a five-point game heading into the second. The hosts reclaimed momentum in the second quarter and pushed their lead back up to 10 points at the break. The Lakers did not let up in the third and maintained a comfortable advantage, with a 14-point lead going into the final frame. The Warriors had no answer in the fourth, as the Lakers charged to their fourth win of the series, earning their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 30 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block, in 43 minutes. Austin Reaves followed up with 23 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Anthony Davis logged 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Laker shot 52 percent from the field, including 13-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo was the only other player to score in double digits for the visitors, as he totaled 16 points, four rebounds and a steal, off the bench. Klay Thompson finished with eight points, three rebounds and five assists. The Warriors shot 37.9 percent from the field, including 13-of-48 from deep.