The Miami Heat finessed the Knicks at home, keeping the AAA safe once again.
Two days removed from Monday’s double overtime thriller, the Miami Heat looked no worse for wear.
Against the New York Knicks, the Heat set the evening’s tone with 64 first half points, looking like a playoff-ready team from the jump for the first time in a while.
Without Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade, Miami flexed their offensive muscles, calling on a roulette of scoring options to build a 17-point first half lead.
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Finishing the game with their sixth home win in a row, the victory was an important stepping stone towards Miami’s playoff push. So, here’s a look at some of the night’s takeaways.
Oh, Canada
When he’s not whipping his Toyota Tundra around the sunny shores of South Beach, Kelly Olynyk is busy making gains in Miami’s second unit. Coming off 30 points against the Denver Nuggets, Olynyk has become a secondary offensive facilitator.
Playing from both the high and low posts, Olynyk’s game relies on trickery and flexibility. His ability to change speeds and glide to the rim had the Knicks defense slipping, leading to 22 points on 8-for-11 from the field.
Olynyk’s knack for being in the right place at the right time – maybe it’s his basketball IQ – makes a difference in the assists column, too. He racked up 10 assists, including a nutmeg on Kyle O’Quinn, feeding Miami’s suddenly hot offense, that shot 55 percent from the floor.
Olynyk with the nutmeg dime! pic.twitter.com/K5xUIQsHVI
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) March 22, 2018
Unfortunately, head coach Erik Spoelstra delayed in sending Olynyk back to the floor in the second half, and the Knicks managed to come within nine with him on the bench.
Saving his remaining minutes for midway through the third and fourth, however, Olynyk’s game spoke volumes, brandishing his playoff-ready talent as Miami’s 2018 identity comes into focus.
#JustBeasleyThings
The last time Michael Beasley was in South Florida, he dropped 20 against his old team. Still familiar with the rims, Beasely matched that mark in the first half, though he ended the game with 22.
Miami doesn’t have to worry about seeing Beasley in the playoffs, but his efforts did illuminate a glaring struggle in Miami’s defense: who stops the star?
If Miami is unable to quell Beasley’s scoring and Spoelstra-directed bloodlust, how will they fair against powerhouses like DeMar DeRozan or LeBron James in the playoffs? Where Beasley’s efforts did little to inspire the Knicks’ play, stars in the Eastern Conference can easily shift the game’s momentum come April.
Assuming Miami doesn’t have the tools to shut down a superstar, shutting down their role players is the next best option. Beasley and Enes Kanter combined for 45 points, but Miami held the rest of the Knicks to 21-for-61 from the field, using their defensive switchiness to great effect.
Let’s Get Physical
Anyone mildly acquainted with Heat culture is privy to the organization’s rigorous fitness standards. The story goes that upon Wade’s return, team president Pat Riley warned him of the dangers of a pancake breakfast.
Even though the Heat almost blew a lead to a team that hasn’t won 40 games in the last five seasons, Miami’s elite conditioning was monumental in deciding tonight’s outcome.
Between James Johnson diving for loose balls and forcing 14 New York turnovers, Miami appeared to be in game shape, despite the oft injury-riddled roster.
Next: The Miami Heat continue to prove they are best at playing team ball
Miami’s ability to maintain a playoff intensity after this win is key in pushing deeper into the Eastern Conference standings.