MIAMI – The Knicks knew they had to play harder, shoot straighter and defend tighter than they had in their woeful previous game against the Heat to have a chance to even up the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Even making those improvements weren’t enough for the Knicks to pull out their most pivotal game of the season, however, pushing them into a 3-1 series hole and to the brink of elimination following a 109-101 loss Monday in Game 4 at Kaseya Center.

Tom Thibodeau’s team will get its first chance to extend the season Wednesday night at the Garden.

Jimmy Butler fronted the Heat again with 27 points and 10 assists, while All-Star center Bam Adebayo enjoyed another dominant game inside against Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein, finishing with 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Knicks’ top three scorers picked up their offensive games after a horrendous combined showing in a blowout loss Saturday in Game 3, with Jalen Brunson posting 32 points with 11 assists in 44 minutes.

RJ Barrett scored 24 points and Julius Randle added 20 on 8-for-13 shooting, although he did commit six of the Knicks’ 16 turnovers.

Quentin Grimes was reinserted into the starting lineup in place of Josh Hart and finished with nine points for the Knicks, who played without slumping sixth man Immanuel Quickley (ankle).