3 Knicks who must step up for New York to beat the Heat

The New York Knicks and Miami Heat are tied at one game apiece in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals series. As the matchup heads to South Beach, New York will need these three players to step up.

Knick #3: Quentin Grimes

Considered one of the New York Knicks’ best perimeter defenders, Quentin Grimes has continued to show his prowess during this year’s NBA Playoffs but suffered a right shoulder injury that kept him out for the latter part of the team’s first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since returning, he’s seen a varied amount of playing time.

He came off the bench in Game 1 and only played 10 minutes in the contest. While he did not start in the second game either, the Houston native played a more usual 26 minutes. From a defensive perspective, it will be key that he plays a serviceable amount of time.

Miami has generated a number of solid looks from behind the arc and has found ways to get Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Caleb Martin involved in their half-court offense. In a Game 2 loss that did not feature Jimmy Butler, the trio combined for 11 made threes and 60 points. The 22-year-old Grimes will be a critical part of slowing down Miami’s shooters.