Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to lead the Miami Heat to a home victory of 105-86 over the New York Knicks in the third game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series last night. Miami now leads 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, with the Heat hosting the fourth matchup on Monday night.
The game saw scuffles among players under the Knicks' basket with 14.7 seconds left in the third quarter. Despite missing the second game due to an ankle injury and having five full days of rest, Butler was the top scorer for the match.
He received support from Bam Adebayo with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Max Strus with 19 points, and Kyle Lowry with 14 points. Miami never fell behind in the first quarter, leading by 13 points, and finishing that quarter ahead 29-21. The lead stretched to 19 points in the second quarter, making the score 58-44 at halftime.
The Knicks reduced the deficit to 61-50 in the third quarter, but the Heat dominated in the final quarter, extending their lead to 21 points.
