Last night two teams faced the end of their season and persevered to stave off elimination.
The Knicks, at Madison Square Garden, behind full 48-minute game efforts by both Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes (who, because of the Simpsons, I will always refer to as “Grimy”) were able to hold back Jimmy Butler and the Heat.
Brunson scored 38 points with 26 and 24-point efforts by R. J. Barrett and Julius Randle respectively.
The Warriors, also playing on their home court, held the Lakers at arms length most of the night. The Lakers teased a couple of times tying up the game, and even taking a late — and short-lived — first half lead.