MIAMI — The Knicks pulled off another thriller.
Riding — who else? — Jalen Brunson, they overcame a nasty first half and a 19-point deficit to squeak past the Heat on Sunday in overtime, 116-112.
Brunson scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, furthering his Captain Clutch name while proving unstoppable down the stretch.
Jalen Brunson attempts a shot during the Knicks’ game against the Heat on March 2. NBAE via Getty Images
He was helped Sunday by a big two-way game from OG Anunoby, who dropped 23 points in a spirited effort, and Josh Hart, who recovered from a nasty spill to pick up an important lay-up and steal, Miles McBride, who took over as the two-guard down the stretch.
Karl-Anthony Towns defends during the Knicks’ game against the Heat on March 2. AP
McBride played over Mikal Bridges, who was again struggling and disappeared — getting benched for almost the entire fourth quarter and overtime.
McBride, who finished with 12 points, gave the Knicks their first lead of the game on a pullup jumper with three minutes left in regulation.
He also locked up Tyler Herro on Miami’s potential game-winning possession in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Kel’el Ware dunks the ball during the Heat’s game against the Knicks on March 2. AP
Herro missed, setting up a final attempt from the Knicks in regulation that Bridges had to rush and hit the side of the backboard.
Bridges only played the two final possessions in the final period and overtime but helped seal the victory, picking up the assist to Anunoby for the exclamation dunk with 17 seconds remaining.
Brunson, meanwhile, is running away with the Clutch Player of the Year award.
Tyler Herro drives to the basket during the Heat’s game against the Knicks on March 2. NBAE via Getty Images
And he needed a comeback Sunday.
The Knicks played the first half like they enjoyed their Saturday night off in South Beach, succumbing to lazy defense and allowing the Heat to drive at will.
Brunson and Towns were targeted in pick-and-roll actions — time and time and time and time again — as the Heat dropped a staggering 40 points in the paint in the first half.
Jalen Brunson looks to move with the ball during the Knicks’ game against the Heat on March 2. NBAE via Getty Images
It was just a spam of Miami hunting the Knicks’ weakest defenders and succeeding.
The tipping point was a 16-0 Miami run in the second quarter, boosting the home team to a 17-advantage at the break.
But the Knicks recovered in the third quarter by subbing out Towns for Mitchell Robinson, who ignited a rally and awoken the pro-Knicks crowd with a steal, an offensive rebound and a putback to cut the deficit to 3.
It was just Robinson’s second game back from ankle surgery and his third-quarter minutes were momentous. But he’s also under a minutes restriction, and he was subbed out early in the fourth quarter for good.
