Knicks vs Heat Series Preview: Previous Matchups, Key Players, and Schedule

• Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett led the Knicks to a 4-1 series win over the Cavaliers
• Jimmy Butler powered the Heat to a stunning 4-1 series win over the Bucks
• The Knicks have won three of their last four meetings against the Heat

The New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a resounding Game 5 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, ultimately winning the series 4-1.

The Knicks will next face the Miami Heat, who also won their series in five games after shocking the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Sports Brief breaks down the upcoming playoff series between the Knicks and the Heat.

Previous matchups this season

The Knicks defeated the Heat 106-104 in their first meeting on February 2. They replicated that feat on March 3, with New York pulling off a narrow 122-120 win.

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The Heat finally snapped their three-game losing streak against the Knicks on March 22, with Miami recording a 127-120 victory.

The Knicks won the season series when they beat the Heat 101-92 on March 29, per ESPN.

Key players for the Knicks 

Jalen Brunson cemented his status as one of New York’s top sports stars after his dazzling display in the series against the Cavaliers.

He joined Hall of Famer Walt Frazier as the only Knicks player to record five 20-plus-point games in the postseason.

Brunson averaged 24 points, 4.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in the first round.

RJ Barrett also had a fantastic series, particularly in Games 3 to 5. He averaged 22 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during that three-game stretch.

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Brunson and Barrett are expected to do the heavy lifting for New York on the offensive end in the series against Miami, especially if Julius Randle’s ankle injury rules him out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Key players for the Heat

The Miami Heat recorded one of the biggest upsets in NBA history when they eliminated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, and they have Jimmy Butler to thank for that.

Playoff Jimmy came to Miami’s rescue in Games 4 and 5, scoring 56 and 42 points, respectively.

He helped the Heat erase double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter in both contests to send the Bucks packing in the first round.

Butler can’t do it all alone, though, and he will need some help for the Heat to beat the Knicks in Round 2.

One guy who needs to step up for Miami in the next series is Bam Adebayo. He recorded a triple-double in the closeout game against Milwaukee, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

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Adebayo can put up those same numbers against New York, with Randle possibly sidelined in the upcoming series.

Series schedule 

Game 1: Miami Heat at New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden (April 30)

Game 2: Miami Heat at New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden (May 2)

Game 3: New York Knicks at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 6) 

Game 4: New York Knicks at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 8)

Game 5: Miami Heat at New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden (May 10)*

Game 6: New York Knicks at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 12)*

Game 7: Miami Heat at New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden (May 15)*

* If necessary 

Fans react to Knicks’ win

Sports Brief recently reported on the fans’ reactions to the Knicks winning their series against the Cavs.

They paid tribute to Jalen Brunson, who outplayed Donovan Mitchell in the first-round matchup.

Some fans were concerned about Julius Randle, who aggravated his left ankle injury in Game 5.