When they take on the New York Knicks in the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in New York on Sunday, the Miami Heat will continue to relish their status as underdogs. The Heat (44-38) defeated the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round after needing to upset the Chicago Bulls in the play-in competition to get to the postseason. The Cleveland Cavaliers were easily defeated by the New York Knicks (47-35) in five games, who ultimately finished as the East’s fifth seed. The Heat and Knicks will now face each other in the postseason for the sixth time. Even though Miami is 15-14 all-time in games in the postseason versus the Knicks, New York has won three of the previous five series.
Game 1 of their second-round playoff series between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks will take place on Sunday. The game will begin at Madison Square Garden at 1 p.m. ET (ABC). The odds for the Heat vs. Knicks game at BetMGM Sportsbook are analyzed here, along with our professional NBA picks and predictions.
Miami finished off the first-round sweep of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. G Averaging 37.6 points per game (PPG) in the playoffs, Jimmy Butler has been on a tear. C Bam Adebayo, who averages 17.4 PPG for the Heat, is their next-highest playoff scorer.
In a series that many predicted would run to seven games, New York defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. The performance of C Mitchell Robinson, who averaged 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game and appeared to be the best big on the floor, was the series’ high point. On both sides of the ball, expect coach Tom Thibodeau to take advantage of New York’s depth on the wings.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks: Heat at Knicks odds
Presented by BetMGM Sportsbook; for a complete list, see the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds portal. Lines were last modified at 12:40 ET.
- Heat +165 (bet $100 to win $165) and Knicks -200 (bet $200 to win $100) are the money lines.
- ATS: Against the spread Knicks -4.5 (-115) vs. Heat +4.5 (-105)
- 207.5 is the over/under mark (O/U) (O: -110; U: -110)
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks: Heat at Knicks key injuries
Heat
- Not yet submitted
Knicks
- G Quentin Grimes (shoulder) is questionable
- F Julius Randle (ankle) is questionable
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks: Heat at Knicks Picks and Predictions
Prediction
Knicks 105, Heat 99
Moneyline
AVOID
If the Knicks can contain Butler and make the other Heat players try to score, which will be challenging without Tyler Herro, they should win this home game. However, I don’t like the Knicks at -200. In this case, the payoff is not worth the risk.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks: Against the spread
KNICKS -4.5 (-115) is the bet.
When playing after three or more days of rest, New York is 4-0 ATS in their previous four games. Additionally, New York is 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 contests against teams that have a winning record. In their last 5 meetings with the Knicks, the Heat have only gone 1-4 ATS. The Knicks will likely employ their depth on the wings to surround Butler with defenders in order to prevent him from feeling at ease.
Lean Under 207.5 (-110) for the Over/Under.
In New York’s last five games overall, their last four games after an ATS win, and their last four games after a straight-up win, the Under is 5-0. In the previous 26 encounters in New York, the Under has a 20-6 record.