Miami Heat Finish Off Knicks In Game 5 [VIDEO]
The Miami Heat have officially closed out the New York Knicks in game 5 of the best of 7 series with a score of 94-106.
Lebron James finished with 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while the remaining portion of the big three finished with 19 points a piece.
Moving on to face the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs, the Heat hope to stay hot by focusing on the strategies that helped get them through the New York Knicks.
“We do not take this for granted,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “This was a tough series. We feel very good about moving on and it’ll only get tougher from here.”
Already thinking about the upcoming series, Lebron James seems ready and determined to do what he was brought to Miami for.
“We will savor this win tonight,” James said. “And then we get to work tomorrow and get ready for Indiana.”
One of the more entertaining aspects of the series was the competition between James and Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony in which both players matched each other at 139 points a piece for the series.
“It was fun, man,” James said. “He’s one of the most competitive players I’ve ever played against in a playoff series.”
As good as Anthony played, there just seemed to be something missing for the Knicks.
“We fought, under the circumstances,” Anthony said. “I’m not one to make any excuses for anything. … But Miami, they’re a tough defensive team. They stick to what their schemes are.”
Amare Stoudemire scored 14 points, Landry Fields and J.R. Smith both added 12, Mike Bibby had 10 and Tyson Chandler grabbed 11 rebounds for New York, which is 1-8 in playoff games with Anthony and Stoudemire as teammates, reports ESPN.
Interim Knicks coach Mike Woodson is disappointed about the loss, but ready to move on into what he hopes will become a permanent position for him in New York City.
“I thought we played well in spurts,” Woodson said. “Our guys got a short taste of what playoff basketball’s about. It’s something this summer we’ve got to sit and think about and hopefully get ready for next season.”
The Miami Heat will face the Indiana Pacers starting Sunday in Miami.
Do you think that the Miami Heat will easily handle the Indiana Pacers?
