The New York Knicks hosted the Miami Heat for Game 2 of the second-round series tonight. After losing Game 1 on their homecourt, the Knicks made sure they did not disappoint the MSG crowd yet again. With Jimmy Butler out for Game 2, Josh Hart and the Knicks capitalized on it. During one of the breaks, Josh Hart even made sure he got referee Scott Foster wary of Kyle Lowry to ensure the win.
Advertisement
The Knicks got a 111-105 win to level the series at home. It was a collective effort, with three players scoring 24 or more. Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 30 points, RJ Barrett added 24, and Julius Randle had 25.
On the other hand, the Heat missed Butler in the clutch. They ended up getting outscored 35-28. However, this series between the Heat and Knicks has some old college pride attached to it.
Josh Hart jokingly warns Scott Foster about former Wildcat Kyle Lowry
During an out-of-bounds play, the Knicks had possession, and Josh Hart was seen talking to referee Scott Foster. Hart was joking and laughing and told Foster,
“Scott don’t listen to anything he saying. You can’t trust no Villanova Wildcats.”
He was talking about Kyle Lowry, who was also seen talking to Foster right before this. Lowry was a Villanova Wildcat from 2004 to 2006. During that time, he earned a Big East All-Rookie team selection, and then Big East Second Team in 2006. His jersey was retired by the Wildcats in 2020.
On the other hand, what’s funny about the whole situation is that Hart himself is a former Wildcat. He played for Villanova for four years. During that time, he earned a Big East All-Rookie selection as well. He earned an All-American selection in his senior year, after leading the Wildcats to an NCAA Championship in 2016. He had his jersey retired in 2022.
Can the Knicks get the series against the Heat?
Despite being the higher seed, the Knicks are considered the underdogs. The Heat beat the #1 seed and are looking sharp. They have one of the best playoff performers in the current day NBA in the form of Jimmy Butler.
For the Knicks to win, they need to execute what they did tonight, three more times. It won’t be easy, but team basketball is the way for them to win and advance to their first conference finals since 2000.
