Jalen Brunson's 38 Point Performance Lifts Knicks To Force Game 6 Against Heat | New York Knicks

you look at the rental of the big three at 24. Jalen Brunson played every second incredible

game

Quentin Grimes played every second Brunson again with 38

point

s and the Knicks survived and you know, Alan, you look at the way this

game

played out in the first quarter. seven turnovers yes, they scored 14

point

s Miami of the 24 points 13 were second chance points of the 24. It seems like it was a complete continuation of what happened in game number four and yet the Knicks were able to recover 18- 2 to start. the second quarter is probably the key sequence of the entire game, yeah, yeah, before we get to that, although let's point out a couple of things that RJ Barrett said is something you can do, which is come back three to thirteen times and then he said 13 times I loved that I understood it very clearly that there is an understanding about that in which they put their little task, you know what we can do, that's 277, I think I don't care about that number, yeah, okay, the number that matters is that 13.

Yes, a team has come back to win the series and they have that mentality, they have it in mind, that is very important just to point out that part. Jalen Brunson played 48 minutes, had a turnover and had the ball in his hand the entire time, now let's get to what you were talking about, which is that key sequence in the second quarter where I felt like, oh no, the Knicks just They don't seem to have it and the Heat have it. There were only 18 points in that first in the first quarter or 14 points in the first quarter, they had 14 points in the first three minutes and it was Obi Toppen who came into the game, we didn't see him the rest of the time. game, but Obi had a big impact on this just going up and down the court, he also got five rebounds on that and then the three balls started falling.

You see RJ Barrett knock that win down. Monica, it feels like things are starting to open up because they started playing more open, going up and down the court with a lot of energy, yes, and I would also add that I like the team's defensive effort tonight much better than the last two games, like they still did a better job of shutting down Duncan Robinson. He made some wild shots, but they were, there was a lot more energy on both sides of the court than on one. Even though it's three, I would consider that an easy three in transition they did a much better job of pushing the ball up because we see that it's a tough day at the office to get down and prepare at half court.

I think early in the ball game, in that first quarter, Quentin hit one, he probably could have hit two on that wing in some late transitions. semi-transition and you could see the covers of the basket well, we have a little confidence, we are going to find our way back to the basket or inside the basket, I should say from behind the three-point line and like you said it opens up other things, yeah, and I'm telling you that Obi comes in Randall goes to the bench in that opening sequence of the fourth, but Obi, being there, just took the page, dunked, got the crowd moving, but it just seemed . like they played a little bit faster and that allowed them to get into a rhythm that they were able to maintain for most of the rest of the game, yeah, and give the tibs credit for that, like yeah, Julius is your third team in the entire NBA . but it wasn't working, it just wasn't working well in that first quarter, it was struggling to find a rhythm, you could see the team in a fragile situation waiting for it to find its rhythm, so you open it up and see that. the ball goes to the basket there is a little more psyche.

I actually really like the way Obi came in and rebounded like he wasn't a guy we normally celebrate for his defensive effort, but he was alert in terms of getting to the glass. I saw him use that long frame up to Sky High for some rebounds and all of these things are putting energy back into this unit and so to me, to your point, it's the run that turns the tide and you can see this team rolling with more confidence in the course of the game. It's amazing how this game went. Second and third quarter. The Knicks outscored the Heat 70-50 at one point, the lead was 19 in the third quarter, but then Monica, the Knicks had to hold on with all their might. last quarter of the game like you should, I mean, there are some turnovers that you want to recover over the course of giving up on that league, but we've seen leads of this magnitude come and go throughout this NBA season and the playoffs.

It doesn't prove to be any different, particularly when Jimmy Butler is your opponent, but they started to go downhill. Mitchell Robinson gets some key high percentage shots and this is what we're talking about in terms of some of that defensive effort. Family bio was great in this ball game, but that's not an easy shot, you have to take into account the length of Mitchell Robinson competing at seven feet here and then we've seen him do well, this penetration they are finding their shooters and yes, Duncan Robinson got something clean. It seems like it, but I don't think he's gotten as many starts as he's had before, and of course, Jalen Brunson absolutely refuses to die understanding the pressure of an elimination game.

Isaiah Hard Shine selling out there. I was really glad there was no whistle because that. It was a perfect defense in terms of contesting again a very tough pitcher, more from Jimmy Butler, which is to be expected, that made it a three-point game, which is expected from him and then from RJ, this was the great play that he just told us about at the end of the year. the shot clock gives that shout just in time Isaiah hernstein with a great pitch here comes the

heat

great defense there in terms of sellouts but we'll keep that name hear a shout out to Mitchell Robinson missed that one but hit some big four for six four for six for Mission in the fourth quarter and Julia is there with the rush play to get that rebound, but we need to save it, she just did what she had to do when it mattered most, which is make the free throw, which again is what we were talking about when it's about your main guys are going to lead the way here, but you needed everyone to do something in this game.

We mentioned that he brought something to this game. who fell on the court did something in this game to help this team win and that's what you need in an elimination game, you can't have guys coming in and they're not on the bus, everyone had to be on the bus in this game and you had that and you know that RJ layup you're talking about was going to be a broken spot. The place was running out. Julius Randle got into the corner. He had nowhere to go. I gave it to RJ. He wanted it back and RJ says: Oh. no, I got this going to the basket, he draws two defenders, Bam decides to help with a hateful call because that leaves Isaiah Hardenstein available, that rebound put the Knicks up by four, but that works because of Barrett's aggressive nature, causes the shot clock to run out.

I don't settle for a jumper, he takes it to the rack, he decides I'm going to make contact or I'm going to finish here and it turned out to be a great play, great, I mean, that's just brave and when we watch The Sound. before the RJ game there was something there was something in his eyes about understanding the magnitude of competing he used that word compete before the game and he came and did it tonight RJ's last eight games averaging over 22 again showing us that it's a game and he's shooting over 50 for the floor, the refs should do it without your back against the wall, but surely not, but in the last eight games, Monica, his efficiency has increased a lot, yes, since about the third game From the first one, you will surely forget the first two games. against Cleveland since he's been at an All-Star level, it's good to see how about telling Lisa, wow, what a game, what a

performance

by Jalen Brunson, he just didn't let the Knicks lose this basketball game.

Quentin Grimes' defense is absolutely outstanding. he made key shots in that first half really found his game, that's a great sign, it's just a gutsy win and that's all you can do in the playoffs, you just spread it out, put pressure on Miami on their home court. Miami came back to reality a bit. Starting off 4-of-26 from the three-point line, we were expecting the league's 27th-ranked three-point shooting team in the regular season, where was that team, and then they went back to playoff Miami Miss in the fourth quarter, but What about Mitchell Robinson? When making those free throws, I never heard a louder cheer in the arena than 3000 did.

I had to take off my headphones. I thought, wow, this is cool. Mitchell Robinson took a big step, it's just a big win for this franchise. A great victory for this team. let's go to Miami and get a win on Friday, yeah, and Friday night in Miami and again as I talk about how many New Yorkers will be there for that game, but in the building it's hard not to notice the Nick Alums that were. There, John Starks looked like he wanted to put on a uniform to come out and defend Kyle Lowry a few times, like he didn't like that he was grabbing Nick's players in his ears, like talking to him, giving him advice and things like John .

I was so into the game it was like he wanted to give me the shirt, take the shirt, I'm guarding Jimmy, buckets like, get me out here, that's what that Arena does, yeah, the electricity, yeah, I mean the adrenaline you get, it's just a rush. As an athlete, it's the best feeling possible when you have 20,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs just supporting you at the highest level and for the Knicks team, I got chills at times during this game, that's exactly what sports is all about. today in this game and what a win what series here we go game six let's get it let's get it and let's give it to Jalen Brunson I don't know I don't know how to do it verbally I mean whatever you need.

I don't know how to verbalize I mean, again, he played every second of the game no Emanuel quickly uh Deuce McBride limited minutes Evan Fournier can't play means 30 seconds right, good point 31 seconds producer Jalen Brunson Allen 38 points seven assists nine rebounds, 48 minutes and a turnover, yeah, wow, that's the cornerstone. I mean, when you look at history in a game where the team had 19 turnovers, it's crazy in one and he had the ball in his hands more than anyone, this has to happen. in the annals of Nick's best

performance

s in the playoffs oh yeah, absolutely first of all, top five first, even though it's the second round, it's his best as Nick this season, he has great performances this season, this is his best game as Nick.

Nick, can we all agree that he is the best player in the NBA who was not named to an All-Star team or are you kidding me, the best player in the league who was not named to an oral All-Star team? NBA for the way he performed in In this game you talk about Gamers, you talk about a guy who said before the game to Tom Thibodeau. I'm going to start the game and you won't take me out. I'm going to go all the way and then Queen Grime said I'll do it with you and the two of them were there and Brunson's been taking a beating all series but he keeps coming back for more and that's what you love about guys like this, He is a fighter, he has the exact personality that this team, this franchise, needed.

He needed a lot of time and he's the on-court leader they desperately needed in a season-saving performance on his home court and it's again something to build on now as they go on the road and try to extend this. What it's like to bring him back to the Garden on Monday for a seventh game, how can you not get tired? Wally, given the attention, no, 48 minutes and still have enough gas in the tank to not get out at all. You'll feel it here tomorrow. right, now you don't feel it, maybe now he starts playing, the adrenaline is breaking, you don't feel anything, you don't feel pain, you don't feel anguish, you don't feel doubt, like when you're in that mode. you're in the zone you're in playoff mode you're in zone mode you're in do whatever it takes to win and he said it before the game, he said they're going to have nerves, you can feel anxious, but it's a game of elimination.

And that trumps everything and how adorable of you to ask about that veto about being tired. Remember that he is also a guy who was a key piece and went to the Western Conference finals, yes, as a bit of a surprise team that came to Phoenix in a game seven blew the doors off, you know, this is a guy who barely one year he saw Luca Doncic do what he's doing now for his team in this game, he saw Luca carry that Mavs team on several occasions, so he knows what it takes. in the playoffs to do that and he's doing it now for them and don't forget he did it before Luke's first round so listen Jalen understands the moment both as an individual player and as a leader, at no point tonight did it seem to me hurried on.

He handled double teams well when they came between that space between the three-point line and half court, I saw him talking to his teammates from time to time, of course, there are some fouls that left us scratching our heads and him. I had to have appropriate conversations with officials, but in terms of poise, understanding the moment, there's always a fine line between urgent and getting a little out of control and out of character, and to me, Jalen knowsexactly where that line is, you can't trust it. You have to cry to not cross it in a negative way and he played fantastic tonight and then it was contagious for Quentin Grimes, although you don't look at Clinton Grimes for the type of scoring and the type of play that you do for Jalen Brunson Quentin. in the last 90 seconds, hyperextending your knee and then stealing the ball from Jimmy Butler, all in the same sequence while you're barely walking on two legs, so it's just a will to win and make it happen and congratulations to all the guys tonight, but Those two in particular are very interesting.

Dynamic here guys with the lineup Grimes plays every second Josh Hart had some foul trouble he played the only nine minutes and for the second game in a row Wally Hart has been so important and so effective, he really hasn't made that vital a contribution in the last two games . Grimes is healthy now, an interesting change during the lineup, yes, and Grimes does a very good job with the size of him over Jimmy Butler. I think he bothers Jimmy. Butler a little bit more because he has a little more length, he can match the strength and Josh Hart can also match the strength, but I think Josh Hart will find his game, he has to find his game for the next one. team in game 6 Josh Hart doesn't go a couple games in a row without playing well, he also has to trust his shot, he's turning away those open threes, start working on those open threes, knock them down, the rest of his game will come