The New York Knicks were the third-best rebounding team in the league. But in Game 4, they couldn't get a board when it mattered.
Knicks trail Heat by 7 with 1:11 to go and Julius Randle done for the night with six fouls. Any NYK comeback has been muted by club's poor rebounding. Knicks gave up 4 offensive rebounds in first 5 minutes of 4th and 6 offensive rebounds overall in the quarter thus far.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 9, 2023
Miami, who was the fourth-worst rebounding team in the NBA, outrebounded the Knicks 44-35 in their 109-101 Game 4 win.
The Heat missed nine of their first 11 shots in the quarter, but they rebounded four of them. Despite holding Miami to 19 points and zero three-pointers, seven of those were second-chance points.
The offensive rebounding ruined an excellent defensive quarter - though rebounding is part of defense. The Heat simply wore them out sending the Knicks' defenders through screens all night, and often broke their hearts with late-clock shots.
Lowry bails the dwindling Heat possession out with a deep three! pic.twitter.com/nVITUbWIlC
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) May 9, 2023
New York keyed in on Jimmy Butler, but he still scored 32 points, in part thanks to 10 free throws. But he really hurt the Knicks as a passer, delivering a series of spectacular dimes with defenders in his face, on his way to 11 assists.
Jimmy Butler no Look pass for the Bam slam! pic.twitter.com/YAbylxBn1L
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) May 9, 2023
Butler is surrounded but finds a way to get the ball to Martin. Martin sinks a 3 and gives the Heat a double digit lead pic.twitter.com/WVwgLSOexg
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) May 9, 2023
Butler has been the best two-way player in the playoffs so far — apologies to Anthony Davis — and he did it again in Game 4 with two big blocked shots.
Jimmy Butler with a big block on RJ pic.twitter.com/hXuNsnKdCY
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) May 9, 2023
Jimmy Butler refuses to let Quentin Grimes murder him pic.twitter.com/HDM4AH2VL7
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) May 9, 2023
A lot of things went right for the Knicks in Game 4. Jalen Brunson had 32 points and 11 boards. R.J. Barrett scored 24 points, his fifth 20-point effort in his last six playoff games. And Mitchell Robinson had two blocks and was +1 in 33 minutes.
But down 3-1 heading back to New York, the only way the Knicks are going to rebound in this series is to start rebounding in this series.
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