Knicks fans react to absolutely horrific Game 3 start against Heat

New York Knicks fans were gifted a favor with there being three full days in between Game 2 and Game 3. It turned out to be a favor for Jimmy Butler, who missed Tuesday’s game with an ankle injury. The Knicks nearly lost to Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent in Game 2, but thanks to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s efforts down the stretch, New York tied the series at 1-1.

The Knicks’ play in the first two games of the semifinals was far from encouraging, so fans were hoping that the start of Game 3 would be different. Well, it actually was different, but not in a good way. New York looked the worst that it was all series in the first half due to a multitude of reasons.

The Knicks started the game with Julius Randle going iso with the shot clock ticking down, which led to a bad shot that barely grazed the rim. The second possession featured Randle being whistled for an offensive foul and RJ Barrett turned the ball over on the third possession. It turns out those possessions were a sign of what was to come.

New York shot 16-for-47 (34%) from the field in the first half and made only two of its 16 three-point attempts. Each time fans thought that it couldn’t get worse, it did.

Knicks Twitter reacts to discouraging Game 3 playoff start against Heat

It wasn’t until there were six minutes left to play in the second quarter that the Knicks hit their first three-pointer of the game thanks to Immanuel Quickley.

That was certainly something worth celebrating and it was Quickley who hit both of New York’s threes in the second half. It’s worth noting that he didn’t play at all in the first quarter, either. The Knicks need to allow Quickley to get some type of momentum going.

Julius Randle shot 3-of-10 in the first quarter for six points. He added nine rebounds to that, but his effort on both ends left a lot to be desired. Once again, in order for the Knicks to win this series, the team is going to need Randle. It’s not a good sign that he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else other than Kaseya Center.

As if watching the Knicks get severely outplayed in the first half wasn’t enough, Tom Thibodeau was once again outcoached by Erik Spoelstra. Fans were begging for Quentin Grimes to enter the game because the Heat were using the same strategy that worked for them in Games 1 and 2 — leaving Hart open and attacking the paint.

New York is down only 14 at the half, but it’s going to continue to be a long afternoon if the Knicks and Tom Thibodeau don’t wake up in the second half.

3 things the Knicks need to take control of playoff series in Miami

Entering Game 3, the Knicks have a very good chance to take a stranglehold on this series if these three things happen to go their way.