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A rivalry renewed.

The Knicks open the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Heat on Sunday in a matinee at the Garden, rekindling a rivalry that was fierce and physical in the 1990s.

Jalen Brunson and co. are coming off an impressive first-round win over the Cavaliers, beating the No. 4 seed in five games.

Jimmy Butler and the eighth-seeded Heat, meanwhile, knocked off the top-seeded Bucks in a five-game stunner.

Who will come out on top in Game 1?

Follow along for live updates from MSG.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Heat NBA playoff series

Josh Hart on Jimmy Butler injury

By Jared Schwartz

Jimmy Butler inadvertently stepped on Jimmy Butler's before the latter injured his ankle.

While driving to the rim, Butler rolled his right ankle and stayed down briefly in pain.

He stayed in the game, however, but his availability will be a major storyline the rest of the series.

Hart was asked about the play after the game:

Q: "What happened on that play when Jimmy turned his ankle?"

Josh Hart: "Jimmy turned his ankle. I don't know what you guys want me to say…Playing defense, obviously there was a collision & unfortunately he turned his ankle…You guys see the play, y'all can figure that out" pic.twitter.com/i6eLle8viq

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 30, 2023

Gabe Vincent loves playing against the Knicks

By Jared Schwartz

The Knicks let Gabe Vincent go off against them in their Game 1 loss to the Heat.

He finished with 20 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field along with five assists.

It continued a trend this season, as Vincent seemingly elevates his game when facing the Knicks.

Here's a look at how much Vincent improves when playing the Knicks this year:

Gabe Vincent Last 3 Games vs Knicks

20.0 PTS (56.4% FG)
3.7 AST
1.7 REB
1.0 STL
54.5% 3P

Averaged 9 PPG on 40% FG this season pic.twitter.com/TRqzIVespX

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) April 30, 2023

Josh Hart on Knicks' shooting woes

By Jared Schwartz

The Knicks struggled through brutal shooting woes during their Game 1 loss to the Heat.

They shot just 20.6 percent from 3-point range (7-of-34) in the loss.

The Heat, meanwhile, shot 33.3 percent (13-of-39) on 3-pointes.

It was likely the difference in the game.

Josh Hart was asked about the Knicks' shooting struggles after the game:

"We're just not making shots right now…the biggest thing. We did a helluva job in terms of playing tough, physical. We didn't make shots, & still gave ourselves a chance late in the 4th. We know that, we're frustrated…but that's something we can change"

– Josh Hart on Game 1 pic.twitter.com/bpQ6GiHpH5

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 30, 2023

Obi Toppin on first playoff start

By Jared Schwartz

Obi Toppin received the first playoff start of his career filling in for the injured Julius Randle.

Toppin finished with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds.

He spoke about the experience following the game:

Obi Toppin shares what it was like to get his first start of the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/03PoPws3bK

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 30, 2023

RJ Barrett's speaks on the Heat's fight

By Jared Schwartz

RJ Barrett recognized how adept the Heat are at coming back when the Knicks were leading by five at halftime, and then saw it unfold in front of him.

He doubled down on the sentiment following the Knicks' Game 1 loss.

RJ Barrett discusses the fight that the Heat had today:

"From playing them throughout the course of the year, they are never going to give up. That's one thing that I personally enjoy about this series, is that it's going to be hard-fought" pic.twitter.com/oPtcfxUDHQ

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 30, 2023

Jalen Brunson takes blame

By Jared Schwartz

Despite leading the Knicks in scoring, Jalen Brunson took blame for the team's Game 1 loss.

He finished with 25 points on 11-of-23 shooting along with seven assists and five rebounds.

But as the Knicks' leader, Brunson pointed criticism to himself.

"There were key moments in the game where you need to finish strong and be strong, and that starts with me. Today I was horrific. Very uncharacteristic of me and this one is on me. I got to get better"

- Jalen Brunson on what separated Miami from them today pic.twitter.com/1BoR97fLDg

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 30, 2023

Tom Thibodeau criticizes missed calls

By Jared Schwartz

Tom Thibodeau criticized the refereeing during the Knicks' Game 1 loss.

The Knicks started complaining to the referees after nearly every play during the fourth quarter, and their coach believes is was justified.

“Seems like there was a lot of contact we didn’t get," Thibodeau told reporters after the game

“Seems like there was a lot of contact we didn’t get.” #knicks

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 30, 2023

Wild stat

By Jared Schwartz

This isn't the 90s anymore.

The Knicks and Heat shared a plethora of playoff battles in their history, but they both made history during Game 1 on Sunday.

The Heat's 108 points are the most by ever by either team against each other in the playoffs.

And New York's 101 points are the most ever for a Knicks team against the Heat in a playoff game.

While neither mark exactly lights up the scoreboard, it shows how far we've come since the 90s era and style of basketball.

Miami's 108 points is the most by any team ever in a Heat-Knicks playoff game.

New York's 101 points are the most by a Knicks team vs. the Heat in a playoff game.

And that's your final.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 30, 2023

Jimmy Butler speaks about injury

By Jared Schwartz

Jimmy Butler rolled his right ankle late in the Heat's Game 1 win, and remained on the ground in pain for a few minutes.

He stayed in the game, however.

His status going forward will be one of the biggest storylines for the rest of the series.

After the game, Butler was asked about his injury, and he gave little away.

ABC Cassidy Hubbarth postgame: “How’s it feeling?”

Jimmy Butler: “Like a rolled ankle” pic.twitter.com/mfJS9cXkmV

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 30, 2023

Knicks crumble in second half as Heat take Game 1

By Zach Braziller

The Knicks didn’t lose to “Playoff Jimmy.”

Their undoing was their own.

Their inability to throw the ball in the ocean from 3-point land on top of the absence of leading scorer Julius Randle started this Eastern Conference semifinal on a sour note.

Up 12 and seemingly in control most of the first half, the Knicks were thoroughly outplayed over the final 24 minutes in a dismal 108-101 Game 1 loss to the Heat at a disappointed and sold-out Garden.

The Knicks shot just 7-of-34 from 3-point range after entering this series as the worst 3-point shooting team in the playoffs, making only 28.2 percent.

READ MORE

Knicks lose home court advantage

By Jared Schwartz

Just like that, the Knicks have lost their home court advantage.

The Knicks fell to the Heat 108-101 in Game 1.

RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 26 points while Jalen Brunson added 25.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points and fought through an ankle injury late in the game.

Gabe Vincent added 20 points for the Heat.

Heat pulling away

By Jared Schwartz

The Heat are starting to pull away while the Knicks unravel.

Miami leads 104-94 with 1:31 left in the game.

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