Guided by the 38 points of a tireless Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 112-103 on Wednesday and came close 3-2 in this NBA Eastern Conference semifinal.

Jimmy Butler's Heat, who finished with 19 points and 9 assists, fought until the end to finish off the tie at the emblematic Madison Square Garden and now they will have a second chance on Friday at their court.

In a game of maximum tension, the Knicks withstood the final onslaught of the Heat, who threatened another of their withering comebacks in the playoffs.

Led by Butler and substitute guard Duncan Robinson, who scored 17 points with 5 three-pointers in 22 minutes, the Heat reduced a 19-point deficit in the third quarter to force a tight finish that the locals solved thanks to their success from the off. free throw line.

With the Knicks on the ropes, their coach Tom Thibodeau did not give a minute of rest in the game to their point guard Jalen Brunson, who finished with 38 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, nor to guard Quentin Grimes (8 points).

The winner of this series will face the winner of the semifinal between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers, who lead the tie 3-2, in the Eastern Finals.

The playoff day on Wednesday was completed with the fifth game of the West semifinal between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, who dominate 3-1.