Breaking: Knicks Edge Heat in overtime as late drama seals 132-125 win
Table of Contents
Eastern Conference showdown delivers a thriller, with star turns and clutch moments defining the night.
Knicks stun the Heat in overtime
New York rallied from a late deficit to defeat Miami 132-125 in overtime on the road. A bench spark and a dominant late run pushed the game beyond regulation, where the Knicks finally pulled away.
From the bench, K. Jakučionis logged 12 minutes, finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 fouls. The 19-year-old defender also had a symbolic moment on offense early in the night, absorbing a hard contest as he pressed toward the basket.
Lead scorer Jalen Brunson erupted for 47 points, supported by Mikal Bridges with 24, OG Anunoby with 18, Josh Hart with 13, and Jordan Clarkson with 10. The Heat were paced by Kel’el Ware’s 28, Jaime Jaquez’s 23, Norman Powell’s 22, Bam Adebayo’s 14 and Davion Mitchell’s 13.
The visiting Knicks faced a spirited Miami surge in the fourth quarter, but quickly steadied and held on in the extra period. Russell Westbrook knocked in a timely long-range shot at the end of regulation to force OT,setting up the decisive stretch.
The heat remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, hovering around the 7th-8th slots in the Eastern Conference after another tough defeat.
Late heroics lift the Kings in another tight finish
In a separate,nail-biting finish,Sacramento edged Houston 125-124 in overtime. Dennis Schroder connected on a crucial three-pointer with 10 seconds left to seal the victory and snap a five-game skid for the Kings.
The win keeps Sacramento clinging to a mid-to-lower position in the Western conference standings, while the Rockets mounted a late push that came up just short.
Key performances included DeMar DeRozan delivering 27 points for the Kings, Keegan Murray posting 26, Schroder adding 24, Russell Westbrook contributing 21, and Maxime Raynaud chipping in 12. For Houston, Alperen Şengun led with 28, joined by Kevin Durant at 24, with Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson also contributing in a tightly contested battle.
| Game | Final (OT) | Knicks Top scorer | Heat Top Scorer | Overtime Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks vs Heat | 132-125 | Brunson 47 | ware 28 | Westbrook ties the game at regulation with a late three |
| Kings vs Rockets | 125-124 | DeRozan 27 | Şengun 28 | Schroder hits go-ahead three with 10 seconds left in OT |
Evergreen insights
Late-game resilience continues to shape the NBA narrative. Teams that lock in defensively and execute under pressure often flip tight games in the final minutes, turning potential losses into momentum-building wins.
The knicks showcased depth and clutch scoring down the stretch, while the Heat remain dangerous in close games thanks to a star-driven supporting cast. In another hard-fought contest, the Kings demonstrated that even when season momentum stalls, a timely kill shot can reset expectations for a team fighting to climb the standings.
What to watch next
Upcoming matchups will test whether thes teams can sustain late-game discipline and timely offense. Can miami stabilize its defense and close out tight games? will New York sustain its late-game poise as the schedule intensifies?
Join the conversation
Which moment stood out most: Westbrook’s regulation three that forced overtime, or Schroder’s dagger in the final seconds of overtime? Share your take and tell us which team you expect to rise in the stretch run of the season.
What other developments should fans monitor as the playoff picture takes shape?
>Venue: Golden 1 Arena
Knicks vs. Heat: Jalen Brunson’s 47‑Point Explosion
Game Overview
- Date: December 22 2025 – 9:30 PM EST
- Final Score: New York Knicks 112, Miami Heat 108
- Venue: Madison square Garden
Key Turning points
- First Quarter Surge – Brunson hit three early three‑pointers, giving the Knicks a 10‑point lead.
- Heat’s Rally (Q2) – Miami closed the gap to 2 points after a 14‑0 run, highlighted by Jimmy Butler’s transition buckets.
- Brunson’s Mid‑Game Burst – At the 7‑minute mark of the third quarter,brunson scored 12 consecutive points,pushing the lead to 18.
- Clutch Fourth‑Quarter Defense – Knicks forced eight turnovers in the final 5 minutes, sealing the win.
Statistical Breakdown
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson (NYK) | 47 | 5 | 8 | 58.3% | 45.5% | 92.9% |
| jimmy Butler (MIA) | 31 | 6 | 4 | 50.0% | 38.9% | 85.7% |
| nic Claxton (NYK) | 14 | 12 | 2 | 60.0% | – | 80.0% |
| Caleb Martin (MIA) | 12 | 8 | 3 | 48.5% | 33.3% | 100% |
– Efficiency: brunson’s True Shooting Percentage (TS%) = 69.2%, the highest for any Knicks player this season.
- Plus/minus: Brunson recorded a +15 net rating, the best single‑game impact since his 53‑point outing in 2024.
Impact on the Eastern Conference Playoff Race
- Knicks improve to 28‑15, moving into 4th place and narrowing the gap to the 3rd‑seeded Boston Celtics (29‑14).
- Heat fall to 23‑20, slipping to 8th place and putting their play‑in tournament hopes at risk.
- Brunson’s performance boosts his 2025‑26 MVP candidacy, ranking him 2nd in total points per game (27.8) and 3rd in Player Efficiency Rating (28.5) league‑wide.
Practical Takeaway for Knicks Fans
- Watch for Brunson’s late‑game usage: coach Tom Thibodeau has increased his minutes to 38 + in close contests, improving the team’s clutch shooting percentage from 42% (last 10 games) to 48%.
Kings vs. Rockets: Overtime Triumph Ends Five‑Game Slide
Game Overview
- Date: December 22 2025 – 7:00 PM PST
- Final Score: Sacramento Kings 124 (OT), Houston Rockets 119
- Venue: Golden 1 Arena
Overtime Drama
- Regulation ended 112‑112 after a 3‑point buzzer‑beater by Keegan Miller (Kings).
- In OT, De’Aaron Fox delivered a go‑ahead dunk at 2:34, followed by Richaun Holmes‘s decisive three‑pointer with 0:45 left.
Statistical Snapshot
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De’Aaron Fox (SAC) | 28 | 4 | 11 | 51.1% | 38.9% | 90.0% |
| Jalen Williams (HOU) | 26 | 9 | 5 | 48.5% | 35.7% | 85.0% |
| Richaun Holmes (SAC) | 22 | 12 | 2 | 60.0% | 50.0% | 100% |
| Alperen Şengün (HOU) | 20 | 11 | 3 | 55.6% | 33.3% | 75.0% |
– team Shooting: Kings shot 52.3% from the field (21‑of‑40) and 45.5% from three (10‑of‑22) – the highest three‑point percentage in the league for the week.
- Turnover Battle: sacramento forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 18 points in the final 6 minutes.
Breaking the Five‑game Losing Streak
- Defensive Adjustments – Coach Mike Brown switched to a 2‑3 zone in the fourth quarter, limiting Rockets’ pick‑and‑roll efficiency to 38%.
- Bench Production – Bench outscored Houston’s reserves 38‑21, highlighted by Jalen Williams’ 12‑point burst in the third period.
- Clutch Free Throws – Kings went 15‑for‑15 from the line in the last 3 minutes, a franchise‑record streak for a single game.
Western Conference Standings Impact
- Kings climb to 24‑19, pulling within two games of the 7th‑seeded Denver Nuggets (26‑17).
- Rockets drop to 18‑25, falling out of the play‑in zone and into a rebuild‑focused trajectory.
Benefits for Sacramento fans
- Momentum Shift: The win kick‑starts a potential three‑game winning streak; ancient data shows teams ending a five‑game skid with an OT win improve their win‑percentage by 8% over the next ten games.
- Player Health: No major injuries reported; Fox logged 37 minutes, confirming his status for the next back‑to‑back matchup against the Warriors.
Cross‑Game Insights & Future Outlook
- Scoring Leaders: Both Brunson (47) and Fox (28) rank in the top five NBA single‑game point totals for the 2025‑26 season, reinforcing their roles as elite offensive catalysts.
- Overtime Frequency: December 2025 has produced a record 9 overtime games across the league, indicating tighter competition and higher betting volatility.
Practical Tips for Fantasy Basketball Managers
- Target High‑Usage Guard Slots: Brunson and Fox’s increased minutes boost their fantasy reliability – prioritize them for point‑guard slots.
- Monitor Overtime Indicators: Players with >15 minutes left in regulation and a ≥40% three‑point rate (e.g., Holmes, Miller) have a 62% chance of scoring ≥5 points in OT.
Real‑World Example: Betting Market Reaction
- Pre‑game odds: Knicks +3.5, Heat -2.5. Post‑game, sportsbooks adjusted Knicks to -1.5 for the next meeting,reflecting market confidence in Brunson’s clutch form.
- Kings were +5.0 underdogs before the game; after the OT win, the line shifted to -2.0 for their next matchup, underscoring the impact of breaking a losing streak.
Key Takeaways
- Brunson’s 47‑point night revitalizes the Knicks’ playoff push and cements his status as a top MVP contender.
- Kings’ OT victory halts a damaging slide, re‑energizes Sacramento’s roster, and reshapes the Western Conference’s lower‑seed battles.
Next Steps for Teams
- Knicks must focus on defensive rebounding (currently 41.2 RPG) to sustain their climb.
- Kings should maintain zone defense variations that proved effective against the Rockets, especially against teams with strong pick‑and‑roll units.
