Inside The Heat

Miami Heat Kick Off Four-Game Stretch Against Playoff Contenders With Win Over Knicks

Shandel Richardson

Mar 31, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2); Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2); Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports / Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
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The Miami Heat (42-33) found a much-needed victory over the New York Knicks (44-31) on Tuesday evening, 109-99.

The victory came thanks to guard Terry Rozier, who finished the night with 34 points and five rebounds on 66.7 percent shooting and 8 of 11 shooting from the arc. Despite spending less than a full season with the team, the former Charlotte Hornet is having no problems fitting in.

This win was crucial for the Heat's postseason positioning, as it kicked off a four-game stretch against playoff contenders in a strong rhythm. Their next matchup comes against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, where they will take on reigning MVP Joel Embiid. The superstar center returned for the first time since January on Tuesday in a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Embiid will likely remain on a minute restriction to ease him back into the rotation, but shouldn't boost the Heat's confidence.

Coach Erik Spoelstra and his team will follow the matchup against the Sixers with a following evening game against the blazing Houston Rockets. They are making a push for the Play-In Tournament thanks to the emergence of sophomore guard Jalen Green. Rockets coach Ime Udoka won Western Conference Coach of the Month for March with a 13-2 record.

The intense span of games doesn't stop until facing the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena. This is arguably the most important matchup because the Pacers are half a game ahead of them in the standings. The Heat could remove themselves from the Play-In Tournament with a win, which guarantees a playoff spot. Despite fighting out of the Play-In all the way to the NBA Finals last season, security is a top priority for the team.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or on Instagram @anthony.pasciolla

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Shandel Richardson

SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star.  TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here