Heat vs. Knicks score, takeaways: Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett lead New York to even series

New York and Miami will square in Game 3 Saturday afternoon in South Beach

The New York Knicks made it much tougher on themselves than they needed it to be but they managed to emerge from Tuesday night's Game 2 matchup against the Miami Heat with a 111-105 victory to even the series at 1-1. RJ Barrett got the Knicks going on the offensive end in the early going but it was Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle who helped finish things off to secure the victory and ensure New York will not travel to South Beach trailing by two games in the best-of-seven series.

Barrett, Brunson and Randle were fantastic for the Knicks as they combined for 79 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists to lead New York to a gutsy victory against an undermanned Heat team that fought as hard as they possibly could despite being without three regular rotation players -- Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo.

With the win, the series now moves to Miami for two more showdowns as Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

1. Clutch second half from Brunson

Every time I watch Brunson play I always think, I can't believe the Dallas Mavericks just let him walk to the Knicks. It truly is a remarkable example of fumbling the bag by a franchise that has reached critical levels of incompetence. But that's a discussion for a different day. Right now we're talking about Brunson leading his team to a crucial playoff win, while becoming the first Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony in 2013 to drop 30 points in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden. That's more of a reflection on how poorly the Knicks have been since Anthony was hooping at the Garden, but it's an impressive feat nonetheless.

It was a bounce back game of sorts for Brunson, who despite putting up 25 points in Game 1's loss, went 0 for 7 from 3-point range. Well, he flipped the script in Game 2, going 6 of 10 from deep and 10 of 19 from the field. He also finished with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. But as the header reads, Brunson did most of his damage in the second half, as 23 of his 30 points were after halftime. One of the most important buckets came with four minutes left, when Brunson drained a 3-pointer to give New York the lead for good.

When Randle, who for the most part had a solid night, started forcing shots in the second half, Brunson took it upon himself to be the calming presence the Knicks have long looked for in the backcourt. He can fill it up from just about everywhere on the floor, but nothing is ever forced. He's undersized but his strong center of gravity makes him a dangerous threat when he's driving to the rim. He once again proved he's worth every bit of that $104 million deal the Knicks signed him to last summer, and at this point that's starting to look like a real bargain. 

2. Miami has to feel good about that loss 

Obviously the Heat would've much rather taken a 2-0 series lead back to South Beach. However, Game 2 was always going to be an uphill battle without Jimmy Butler. Still, based on how close the contest  was Miami should feel good about their prospects of winning this series as long as Butler returns for Game 3. The Heat had four players score in double figures, with Caleb Martin leading the way with 22 points and Gabe Vincent adding another 21. With the Knicks playing drop coverage for most of the game on Miami's pick-and-rolls, it gave Martin, Vincent and Max Strus a ton of space to get their shots off. Those shots were falling most of the night until New York changed its tactic and started getting up on screens. 

The Knicks managed to escape with the win, but Miami didn't go away easily. Even down the stretch when Randle committed a mindless turnover inbounding the ball, it resulted in this Duncan Robinson made triple to cut the lead to two points: 

That was an unforced error on Randle's part, but the Heat were draped all over the Knicks players making it difficult for the New York forward to inbound the ball anyway. You have to think that had Butler been available for Game 2, the Heat might've won that game down the stretch, especially given Butler's track record for stepping up in clutch time. 

3. Butler's injury the biggest factor

With Game 3 not until Saturday, Butler has three full days to recover from what the team announced as a sprained ankle. He wasn't officially ruled out until shortly before Game 2, which means that he may be close to a return. If he's at 100%, then Miami should feel good about its chances to bounce back from Tuesday's loss. Butler impacts so many areas of the game on both ends of the floor, and with the defensive attention focused on him, it'll give guys like Strus, Martin and Vincent even more space to operate on the perimeter. We'll have to wait on the updates from the Heat regarding Butler's status ahead of Game 3, but I'm guessing he'll be ready to take the floor to try and lead his team to another win.

[May 2, 2023 at 10:08 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Knicks will even up the series 1-1 ahead of Game 2

It was a tough fight, but the Knicks pulled out a win to even up the series at one game apiece. Credit Miami for making this interesting until the very end despite being without Jimmy Butler. But if you're the Knicks, you can't feel too great about barely getting this win while Miami was without their best player. Nevertheless, New York came up clutch and carry that momentum into Saturday's Game 3. 

[May 2, 2023 at 10:04 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Duncan Robinson with a huge 3-pointer

The Knicks were primed to walk away with a win, but a quick 2-pointer, a Julius Randle turnover and a Duncan Robinson 3-pointer make this a 2-point lead for New York. There's 22 seconds left and New York is in the driver's seat, but this isn't over just yet. 

[May 2, 2023 at 9:59 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Knicks holding onto a 6-point lead with a minute left

Huge shotmaking from Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart down the stretch have put the Knicks a minute away from evening up this series. It looked like the Heat would pull away midway through the fourth, but the Knicks turned up the intensity on defense and have forced Miami into tough shots. 

[May 2, 2023 at 9:36 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Heat having their way in the fourth

It's just been an onslaught of 3-pointers for Miami in the fourth, and even when the Knicks do change their defensive tactic to try and trap Miami in the pick-and-roll, they find an open guy on the weak side. This time, it was Caleb Martin for the triple and the Heat are up 93-87. 

[May 2, 2023 at 9:32 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Knicks giving Miami shooters way too much space

That last triple from Gabe Vincent was just the latest example of how poor New York's perimeter defense has been tonight. They got away with it in the first half because Miami was missing a lot of those nearly wide open looks, but it's starting to bite them in the butt as Miami catches fire in this fourth quarter. Too easy. 

[May 2, 2023 at 9:30 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Caleb Martin has been unreal for Miami

That last drive from Martin might've been incredibly improvised and lucky after bobbling the ball at the last second, but it's just an example of how well things are going for the Heat forward. He's up to 19 points and he's made huge shots for the Heat to quiet that Knicks crowd and give Miami a real shot at winning this game.

[May 2, 2023 at 9:23 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Heat up 77-76 after the third quarter

MSG was ready to explode after Jalen Brunson gave New York the lead, and yet the Heat have managed to hold a 77-76 lead heading into the fourth quarter. It's unreal that this team is in a position to take a 2-0 series lead without Jimmy Butler. Still 12 minutes left to play, but Miami is certainly capable of stealing this win.

[May 2, 2023 at 9:20 pm ET · Jasmyn Wimbish]

Strus available to return -- lower back contusion

Good news for Miami, their leading scorer in Max Strus will be available to return at some point in this game after sustaining a lower back contusion.