MIAMI (SNN-TV) – The unpredictable ride of the eighth-seeded Heat continues, with Miami on the brink of yet another trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
Jimmy Butler had 27 points and 10 assists, Bam Adebayo finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds and the Heat topped the New York Knicks 109-101 last night. They’ll take a 3-1 lead into Madison Square Garden for Game 5 tomorrow night, one win from wrapping up this East semifinal matchup and returning to the conference finals for the third time in four years.
Max Strus scored 16 points; Kyle Lowry added 15 and Caleb Martin had 10 for the Heat. Miami became only the fourth No. 8 seed in this NBA playoff format — now in its 40th season — to win at least seven games. The 1999 Knicks won 12 on their way to the NBA Finals, while Memphis won seven in 2011 and Philadelphia won seven in 2012.
A Miami team that was about 3 minutes from getting eliminated in the play-in tournament is now one win from the NBA’s final four.
