Behind Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Take Control Against New York Knicks In Game 4

The Miami Heat lead the New York Knicks 3-1 after Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo combine for 50 points in Game 4

This season was considered a disappointment for the Miami Heat. 

Now, they are one victory from achieving what they did a year ago. 

Behind Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, the Heat defeated the New York Knicks 109-101 Monday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. They lead 3-1 in the best-of-7 series. 

“It was great that we were able to hold home court,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But we know we have a task in New York.”

The Heat can close it out Wednesday in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Butler led the way with 27 points and 10 assists while Adebayo added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Kyle Lowry had 15 points off the bench. 

“They’re top of the food chain in terms of two-way competitors,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo and Butler. “So we’re following them right now. They’re doing all the dirty work, and they’re doing all the glamorous work, too.”

The Heat entered the postseason as the No. 8 seed but are so close to duplicating the success they had last year as the top seed. A year ago, they lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the conference finals. 

“You've got to win four to win a series,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “So, all we're thinking about is win the next game. Go quarter by quarter. Win the first quarter, win the second quarter, win the third, win the fourth. And then the next day we'll think about the next day.”