Heat Take Early Series Lead with 108-101 Win vs. Knicks

The Miami Heat have staked themselves to a 1-0 series lead over the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Heat scored a 108-101 triumph at Madison Square Garden, erasing an early deficit and hanging on for the Game 1 win. 

Miami entered the contest as +3.5 underdogs and found itself in a hole early. The Knicks were up 11 after the first quarter, holding a 55-50 halftime lead against their inter-divisional foes.

The Heat came out a little flat to start the second half, turning the tides a few minutes in and going on a 21-5 run. That was enough, as the visitors fended off the Knicks the rest of the way.

Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat, recording a double-double in the series opener. Butler dropped 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the contest, including 8-for-16 shooting and 9-for-11 from the charity stripe.

Likewise, Gabe Vincent was a marksman from range, draining 5 of 12 from beyond the arc en route to 20 points. 

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal goes on Tuesday night. FanDuel Sportsbook opened the Heat as +6.5 road chalk.