Tuesday’s NBA Postseason Ball doubleheader brought us a Game 2 and a Game 1, with the latter once again bringing us the much-anticipated LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry clash. As we’ll discuss later, the Lakers’ Game 1 win really wasn’t about that James vs. Curry storyline. They’re just two old rivals that have been around for a bit, and the teams around them are just as important to their success as they are. (That’s especially true for James, at least.) But I’m sure a lot of people watched to see these two superstars pit. In the unlikely event that you didn’t or couldn’t, you can catch up on Tuesday’s list results here.
Knicks 111, Heat 105 | The series is 1:1
How the Knicks won: By doing just enough. The team’s offense went through several periods of static, passive play, and the Miami Heat’s undermanned squad pushed New York through that game. But nice wins count as well as being close, and a late lead to put New York ahead in the fourth quarter was enough for the team to even that one-game streak.
Why the heat lost: Without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro or Victor Oladipo, the Heat survived much of that game by hitting 3s. This is the league’s constant equalization, the primary indicator of who is more likely to win a given game. But the heavy minutes and oversized roles worn by these Heat players coming out of necessity eventually caught up with them. Fewer 3’s went in – Miami ended up with just one more mark than New York – and the impressive performance went unrewarded. With Butler seemingly on track to return for Game 3, Miami has hope on the horizon.
The crucial moment: Jalen Brunson’s corner 3-pointer was checked down six points to see if it happened before or after Isaiah Hartenstein bulldozed Bam Adebayo – and while it was a terribly close call, the umpires assumed that it hadn’t Brunson was in his shooting motion. What could have been a non-shooting foul if called before the shot was called became a made 3 and another free throw. New York’s offense struggled, but Brunson came back on the next possession to level the game with a 9-foot jump. A few minutes later, the Knicks finally took the lead.
The Unsung Hero: Josh Hart has been such a hugely important addition to the Knicks since hitting the trade deadline. On Tuesday he almost had a triple-double: 14 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists. He’s a voracious rebounder for his size — heck, forget his size in general — and his shooting ability and reserved play from dribble are just what New York needs when the team’s offense tends to go stale.
The Knicks are meant to feel… vulnerable. But of course, most of all, they should be relieved that they won this game that keeps this series alive. New York can regain home field advantage in the next two matchups in Miami.
The heat should feel… encouraged. With Butler’s impending return, why can’t the Heat continue their unexpected run in the east in these upcoming games?
What’s next: Game 3 will be played on Saturday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Lakers 117, Warriors 112 | The Lakers lead 1-0
How the Lakers won: Anthony Davis was the best player of the game. He needs to be in that streak for the Lakers to surpass Stephen Curry and the Warriors, but it’s hard to argue that Davis’ performance after Game 1 — 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, four blocks — wasn’t on Tuesday .
Why the Warriors lost: This game should be won by Golden State, no question. Any game where a team has a 45-point lead over 3s — with the Warriors scoring 21 points while the Lakers knock down just six — is a game that should be won. But where the Warriors created 3-pointers and paint points against the Sacramento Kings, their last opponent, the Lakers did a much better job, walling off the Warriors’ paths to the rim while also making up the 3-point disparity with layups and free throw attempts from their own. Golden State can be better, but this one stung.
The crucial moment: Jordan Poole took that potentially game-changing 3-pointer as the clock ticked down to the last buzzer of the game.
It was far away but not ridiculous. It was a good sight. Poole just missed.
The Unsung Hero: D’Angelo Russell sometimes vacillates between looking like the league’s top scorer and someone who will soon be gone. Those are the extremes that are present in his game, but on Tuesday he played a fairly standard game with several important, choppy-paced shots. His 19 points on 19 shots with six assists to a turnover weren’t remarkable. It was just good, solid basketball that ultimately helped the Lakers win.
The Lakers are meant to feel… royal. In this duel between two of the league’s three youngest champions, the Lakers don’t feel out of place as the Warriors — something that seemed unfathomable earlier this season. The mid-season roster reshuffle and Davis’ rise as that monstrous two-way player have also positioned the team to be a dormant threat emerging from the West, something the Warriors have been able to do this year despite their own fights had always been assigned.
The warriors should feel… calm. Golden State is still the team we know, and losing at home won’t change that. Then again, when the team is so overwhelmed, it’s going to be hard to beat the Lakers, despite this math problem going against them. The Warriors won’t always hit as many 3s or have a poole performance every night, but the Lakers can dominate the glass so heavily every time these two teams go head-to-head.
What’s next: Game 2 will be played on Thursday, May 4th at 9pm Eastern.
(Top Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)