The New York Knicks (42-31, 22-14 Away) are currently the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a 3.5 game lead ahead of the Knicks with three weeks to go in the regular season. The Knicks are coming off a disappointing 2021-2022 season, where they missed the play-in-tournament, and finished 37-45. The Knicks haven’t been to the playoffs since 2020 and are looking to solidify themselves a top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. They recently went on a 9-game win streak and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. New York is coming off a loss against Minnesota, 140-132, and is looking for a win against the Heat, who hold the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Miami Heat (39-34, 24-13 Home) are having a tumultuous and disappointing season. Last year, the Heat finished 1st in the Eastern Conference, and lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. They won 6 of their last ten, and beat the Pistons last game, 112-110. The Heat look to get back on track against the Knicks. These two teams will play tonight at 7:30 PM EDT, located at Miami-Dade Arena, in Miami, Florida. The matchup will air on NBA league Pass, fuboTV, and Bally Sports. If you are looking for the best betting odds, here is information to know:

Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over

*All lines are taken from Draft Kings*

Money Line

Knicks: +105
Heat: -125

Over/Under: 224.5

Knicks: -110
Heat: -110

Spread:

Knicks: +2 (-115)
Heat: -2 (-105)

Season Matchup

Knicks are 2-0 vs. Heat this season.

Game 1: 2/2/2023: Knicks win 106-104 (Knicks at Home)

Going into this game, Miami was favored -3, and the Under/Over was 212. Knicks covered the spread, and the game hit the UNDER. These two teams kept the game close, and it ended with a Julius Randle slam to the hoop with seconds to go.

The Knicks and the Heat have squared off two times this season. For the first matchup, both teams were barely above .500.   RJ Barrett, a rising star in the NBA, added 30 points in 41 minutes. Barrett added 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and attempted a team high 23 shots. However, he shot 0-5 beyond the arc. Julius Randle, who is having a monstrous season, added 23 points, 10 rebounds, shot 8-18 from the field, and 3-9 from the 3-point. Quentin Grimes had himself a game, with 17 points on 6-9 shooting, along with 3-5 from the 3-point. Forward Cam Reddish and Guard Jalen Brunson were both out for this matchup. Both teams shot pretty even from the field, and the 3-point. The Knicks outrebounded the Heat 44-33, especially on the defensive side. The Knicks led in turnovers, with 18. However, they dominated in the paint 52-36, led by Julius Randle.

On the Heat side, Miami was without Guard Victor Oladipo. Center Bam Adebayo continued his dominance, adding 32 points, 9 rebounds, on 11-16 shooting from the field. Tyler Herro added some serious offense with 25 points on 22 field goal attempts. Kyle Lowry struggled with injuries this year and is getting used to a bench role. However, this game, Lowry struggled big time. He added 3 points on 1-7 shooting. Jimmy Butler had a quiet night, only posting up 10 points, and so did Caleb Martin.  Max Strus provided 17 points and could be an x factor in tonight’s game. Overall, Miami was outrebounded, had a low field goal percentage, and was outscored inside the paint.

Game 1: 3/3/2023: Knicks win 122-120 (Knicks at Home)

Going into this game, the money line was EVEN, and the Over/Under was 217. The New York Knicks covered the money line, and the OVER hit at 242. Once again, this game was decided by two points.

The New York Knicks outscored the Heat 71-56 in the first two quarters. Miami quickly took control over the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Knicks shot 58 % from the field, and 41 percent from the 3-point. New York was outrebounded 39-34, and struggle from the free-throw line. Julius Randle had a monster game, adding 43 points, 9 rebounds and 8-13 from the 3-point line. Jalen Brunson was back in the lineup, added a nice 25 points, and RJ Barrett added 17. Ultimately Julius Randle’s fadeaway and 1 over Adebayo helped seal this game.

The Heat kept things close the entire game. Jimmy Butler rebounded with 33 points on 7-15 shooting and got to the free-throw line 22 times. Kevin Love recently joined the Heat and added 9 points. Tyler Herro had a huge shooting night, adding 29 points on 11-18, and 5-8 from the 3-point. As a team, the Heat scored 48 % from the 3-point, and 48 % from the field. The difference was the Knicks fast break points and points off turnovers.

Regular Season Recap

New York Knicks

Overall: 42-31 Home: 20-17 Away: 22-14 Last 10: 6-4

Led by head coach Tom Thibodeau, and Forward/Center Julius Randle, The Knicks are a decent team this season. By Christmas time, the Knicks were in the middle of a 5-game win streak and were 18-16. New York has key wins against Denver, Cleveland, Sacramento, Phoenix, Boston, Philadelphia, and Miami.

 Power Forward Julius Randle is in his 4th season with the Knicks. He’s averaging a career-high 25.6 points per game and elevated his game play this year.  He averages 10.2 rebound per game, which is 8th in the league, and is 46.1 percent from the field. He’s averaging 27.1 points per game in March and exploded for 46 points against the Wizards. In addition, Guard Jalen Brunson was a great signing for the Knicks last offseason. After playing four years for the Mavericks, Brunson is averaging career-highs in points (23.8), steals (0.9), blocks (0.2), assists (6.2), 3-point percentage (41.3), and minutes (34.9). RJ Barrett is having another consistent shooting, although is 3-point shooting is down by nearly 3 percent this season.

This Knicks team is playing with tenacity, and Randle is coming of a 57-point game. Guards Quentin Grimes, Josh Hart, and Evan Fournier(occasionally) are nice bench options for the guard position. 

 Jalen Brunson spent four seasons alongside one of the best players in the league, Luka Doncic. However, he was never the top guy. Although Julius Randle is having an incredible year, Jalen Brunson has been not only a leader for this team. Brunson is a two-time champion with Villanova and knows what it takes to win.  This Knicks team is showing chemistry, and sometimes it takes more than putting up stats. They are top 5th in opponent 3-point percentage, 11th in points allowed, and are 3rd in the league in Rebounds. They rank middle of the pack in points scored, and top 11 in defense overall. New York is .500 in their division, which consists of top teams, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Boston.

Miami Heat

Overall: 39-34 Home: 24-13, Away: 15-21 Last 10: 6-4

Last season, the Miami Heat finished 1st in the Eastern Conference, at 53-29. They lost to the Boston Celtics, 4-3, in the Conference Finals, and had high expectations going into this season. They are currently sitting 7th in the Eastern Conference.

This season has been a different story for the Heat. The Heat lost P.J Tucker, and Markieff Morris in the off season. During the 2022-2023 NBA trade deadline, the heat shipped off Center Dewayne Dedmon to the Spurs for Cash Considerations. They added Forward Kevin Love in March to add more depth.

The Heat certainly have talent on this Roster. Although Star Forward Jimmy “buckets” Butler, leads the way for the heat, they have 7 players that average double-digits in points. That list includes Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Max Struss, Caleb Martin, and Victor Oladipo. Jimmy Butler is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a career-high 53 field goal percentage. He’s been playing very well post all-star break, and always comes up clutch in the post season. With the injuries and declining play of Kyle Lowry, the Heat lack a true point guard, and playmaker. They are 24th in the League in assists, which proves how desperately they need a playmaker. Although Kyle Lowry's future is unclear, the heat plan to use him on the bench. Lowry has struggled in many statistical categories, and Gabe Vincent has taken his role as starting point guard.

Before Christmas, Miami was a below .500 team at 16-17. Since Christmas, the Heat have gone 23-17. The Heat are 19-18 against above .500 teams, and 14-8 in games decided by 3 points or less. They are 5-5 in the month of March, after a sub .500 record in February. Although the Heat have talent, they rank last in the league in points per game, and 28th in rebounds. On the defensive end, they are top 2 in opponents points per game. Although they hold opponents to free throw attempts, they struggle against perimeter three pointers. This is a must win game for the Heat, who are 2.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in the 7th seed.

Injury Report

New York Knicks

PG Duane Washington (OUT)
G Trevor Keels(questionable)

Miami Heat

SF Caleb Martin (Questionable) Left Knee
PG Kyle Lowry (Questionable)- Expected to play.
C Cody Zeller (OUT)

Key Players

New York Knicks

Julius Randle

Julius Randle is having a career year. It’s important to note, Randle is coming off a career high 57 points in the Knicks loss against Minnesota. In his last two games against the Knicks, he’s averaging 33 points, 4 assists, and 10.2 rebounds. In the two matchup games, he’s shooting 50 % from the three-point, and 54.4 percent from the field. He’s averaging 28.7 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 45 percent from the field in March. Look for him to keep dominating both inside the paint, and on defense.

Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson is also having a career year. In two games against Miami, he’s averaging 25 points, 8 assists, shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point shooting, and 64.3 % from the field.  Although battling a foot injury, He’s been dominating the month of March, averaging 27.3 points per game, shooting 42.6 percent from the three, and 52.9 percent from the field. Look for Brunson to continue the hot streak on both sides of the ball, where he’s had 6 steals in March.

RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett has played exceptionally well in his two games against Miami this season. He’s averaging 23.5 points, 5 rebounds, and shooting 55.3% from the field. However, Barrett is 0% on 3-point shooting against Miami. Randle, Barrett, and Brunson have combined for 81.5 average points in the two-game series. Look for role players Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes to step up as well.

Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler

Look for #22 to keep up his hot streak. In March, Butler is averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 50 % from the 3-point line. In two games against New York this season, Butler is averaging 21.5 points, 5 assists, 50 percent from the three-point, and 42.9 percent from the field, down his season averaging 53 percent.

Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo has played very well against the Knicks this season. He’s averaged 25 points, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, 6.5 rebounds, and 56.3 percent from the field. If he can outrebound Julius Randle, protect the rim, and get to the line, he could be a difference maker. Outrebounding the Knicks will be key here for the heat.

Tyler Herro

No one is playing better than Tyler Herro against the Knicks. He’s averaging 27 points in their matchups, 7 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 50 % from the 3-point. If Caleb Martin can’t suit up, look for Kevin Love to step up. In addition to Max Struss, Oladipo, and Gabe Vincent are viable scoring options. However, Oladipo is averaging career-lows in points per game (10.1), and his shooting percentages are down this year.

Key Stats

• New York averages 115.4 points per game (14th in the league)

• Miami averages 109 points per game (30th in the League)

• New York ranks 11th in points allowed with 112.6 opponents points per game.

• Miami ranks 2nd in points allowed with 109.5 opponents points per game.

• New York ranks 3rd in rebounds per game with 46.3

• Miami ranks 28th in rebounds per game with 40.9

• New York ranks 22nd in point differential at + 2.7

• Miami ranks 2nd in point differential at -0.4

• New York ranks 24h in blocked shots with 4.0 per game.

• Miami ranks 30th in blocked shots with 3.1 per game.

• New York averages 34.9 percent from the 3-point, while Miami averages 33.8 from the 3-point.

LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION

 SPREAD: Miami -2

-New York covered the spread in 6 of their last 10 games.

-Miami covered the spread in 4 of their last 10 games.

-New York has a 40-30-3 record ATS this season.

-Miami has a 26-44-3 record ATS this season.

-Miami is 11-24-2 in HOME games ATS this season.

-New York is 24-12-0 in AWAY games ATS this season.

In their two matchups this season, the Miami Heat lost against the Knicks by 4 points over two games.  Both teams are 6-4 in their last ten games. I like Miami -2 here.

MONEY LINE: Miami ML

-New York won the Money Line 6 out of their last 10 games

-Miami won the Money Line 6 of their last 10 games.

The Heat have lost the past two games against the Knicks. I think they avoid a sweep and pull off a win at home.

OVER/UNDER- UNDER

-New York Avg +/- vs O/U Line: +3.31

-Miami Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -1.0

-New York Overall O/U Record last 5 games: 5-5

-Miami O/U Record: 34-29-0

-New York hit the OVER 6 times in their last 10 games

-Miami hit the OVER 6 times in their last 10 games

I like the under here.  Although Julius Randle scored 57 points last game, can he do it again?  We will see.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of Ballislife.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE

1-800-522-4700

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network. The network is a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. The network consists of 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states and US territories. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.