The NBA action returns with a ten-game slate on Friday, March 3, and this conference clash is one of the most interesting, so make sure you read the best Knicks vs. Heat betting pick and odds.
New York is hoping for the eighth consecutive victory when they visit Miami at Miami-Dade Arena. The Knicks are -1.5 favorites on BetRivers Sportsbook, while the total is set at 215.5 points. These conference rivals will face for the second time this year; the Knicks won 106-104 in New York.
Knicks dismantled the Nets at home
The New York Knicks (37-27, 35-26-3 ATS) are in excellent form at the moment. They won nine of the previous ten and are on a seven-game winning streak after destroying the Brooklyn Nets in the most recent game. The Knicks swept a three-game home stand with a massive 142-118 victory over the Nets, scoring a season-high 142 points in the process. New York scored even 81 points in the opening half and finished the tilt with a fantastic 60.7% from the floor, making 20 triples opposite Brooklyn’s 15, while the Knicks dominated the boards (46-31).
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 39 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Quentin Grimes scored 23 points, Julius Randle had 21 points, eight boards, and team-high eight dishes, R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley each scored 15 points, while Mitchell Robinson posted a double-double of 13 points and game-high ten rebounds.
Heat didn’t have a chance against Philly
The Miami Heat (32-30, 23-38-2 ATS) were hoping to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a back-to-back set; after snatching a 101-99 victory in Philly, they couldn’t do it in Miami. The Heat suffered the fifth defeat in six games as they scored only 96 points in a 119-96 loss. The second quarter proved to be crucial as the Heat scored miserable 15 points and allowed 37 in return. The Sixers made 15 triples opposite Miami’s seven, while the visitors were better in both rebounds (41-33) and assists (25-18).
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points and team-high eight rebounds. Jimmy Butler scored 16, Max Strus had 13 points and five boards, while Tyler Herro finished with 11 points and team-high six assists.
PG Kyle Lowry (knee), C Omer Yurtseven (ankle), and F Nikola Jovic (back) are out indefinitely and will not feature on Friday against the Knicks. SF Jimmy Butler is questionable due to right knee soreness.
Trends:
New York:
- 6-0-1 ATS in the last seven games overall
- 5-0 ATS in the last five games following an ATS win
- 4-1-1 ATS in the last six games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game
Miami:
- 1-5 ATS in the last six games overall
- 9-23-1 ATS in the last 33 home games
- 1-6 ATS in the last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record
- 0-4 ATS in the last four games following a straight-up loss of more than ten points
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Pick
The Knicks have been red-hot at the moment, and if they continue to play in this way, I wouldn’t be surprised if they finish among the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference. Both Miami and New York have top-10 defenses, but I think a higher-scoring offense will get an edge in this one. The Heat have the worst offense in the NBA which averages 107.8 points per game, while the Knicks score 115.1 ppg. Jimmy Butler continues to deal with a nagging knee injury, and given the Heat are playing a back-to-back set against New York and Atlanta, it wouldn’t be surprising if Miami keeps him out of both games. In case Butler is unavailable, the Knicks are going to win here without problems.
Pick: Take the Knicks at -1.5 (-110)
The Total
Miami is already playing without Kyle Lowry, and if they are without Butler, I seriously doubt the hosts will hit the 100-point mark. It wouldn’t be shocking, though, as the Heat failed to achieve that feat in two of their previous four games. The Knicks are improving offensively, but Miami does have the second-best defense in the NBA that allows 108.6 points per game. Under is 13-6-1 in the Heat’s last 20 vs. a team with a winning straight-up record; Under is 7-2 in Miami’s previous nine home games, while Under is 4-1 in the Knicks’ last five games following a straight-up win of more than ten points.
Pick: Go Under 217.5 points (-133)
