The Knicks beat Heat, and get the opportunity to fight again in Game 6.
The standout Jalen Brunson stepped up when the New York Knicks most needed him.
With elimination imminent, Brunson dropped a game-high 38 points to help the Knicks defeat Jimmy Butler and the Heat 112-103.
With his 38 points in Game 5 on Wednesday, Brunson now has 265 points in 10 postseason games.
Through their first 10 playoff games with New York, only Bernard King and Carmelo Anthony had scored more points.
In Game 5, the 26-year-old was the Knicks' rock, playing all 48 minutes and falling just short of a triple-double by one rebound and three assists.
Brunson shot 54.5% (12-of-22) from the field and 40% (4-of-10) from three points, all very effective percentages.
The Knicks' other 48-minute players against the Heat were not just Brunson. In Game 5, Quentin Grimes also participated fully and finished with eight points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Since Walt Frazier and Jerry Lucas in 1972, Brunson and Grimes became the first Knicks to play the full 48 minutes in a playoff game.
Although Brunson claimed there was no discussion with head coach Tom Thibodeau about playing the length of Game 5, he was ready to make any sacrifices necessary to save the Knicks' season.
The Knicks also received a tremendous performance from starters Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, who scored a combined 50 points and made eight three-pointers.
The Knicks' offense was outstanding, but New York's defense held Butler at bay, limiting the Heat star to just 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
Still trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, Brunson and the Knicks have a long way to go.
For Game 6 on Friday, the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series returns to Miami.
The Knicks will force a Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden if they manage to pull off yet another huge victory.
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