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Heat Assert Lead over Knicks in Eastern Conference

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

It is true that the NBA is considered to be a player’s league.  But there is one team that defies that perception.  The Miami Heat is not a club where the tail wags the dog.  At the beginning is team president Pat Riley.  Overall, no leader is more respected in NBA betting circles.  And then head coach Eric Spoelstra has established himself in the elite class.  In a similar way, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is a demanding defensive taskmaster.  Thus, Miami and New York make for a gritty second-round matchup.

2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Second Round

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

CashBet Odds:  Miami Heat -240 vs. New York Knicks +194  

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Series Schedule

Game 1: Heat 108, Knicks 101
Game 2: Knicks 111, Heat 105
Game 3: Heat 105, Knicks 86
Game 4: Monday at Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5: Wednesday at New York, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 6*: Friday, May 12 at Miami (ESPN)
Game 7*: Monday, May 15 at New York, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)

All times listed are Eastern. (* – if necessary)

Miami Turns Up the Heat   

First among sportsbook odds Miami scorers is Jimmy Butler, with 37.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.  Bam Adebayo adds 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Miami has NBA rankings of 30th for scoring offense, 28th for field goal percentage, 27th for 3-point field goal percentage, 2nd for free throw percentage, and 27th for offensive rebounding.  In comparison, on defense, the Heat have NBA rankings of 2nd for scoring defense, 22nd for field goal percentage permitted, 22nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6th for defensive rebounding.

Late on, Miami has covered five out of their last six games.  While the Heat has gone over the betting on NBA total in eight of its previous ten matchups.  The Miami Heat finished 44-38 straight up, 31-49-2 against the spread, and 41-41 over/under the total.

Knicks Struggle to Find Consistency   

First among New York scorers is Jalen Brunson, with 24.0 points per game.  RJ Barrett adds 17.4 points per game.  And then Julius Randle brings 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.

Late on, New York has covered four out of their last five games.  While the Knicks have gone under the pro basketball betting total in five of its previous six matchups.  The New York Knicks finished 47-35 straight up, 44-34-4 against the spread, and 44-37-1 over/under the total.

New York has NBA rankings of 11th for scoring offense, 20th for field goal percentage, 19th for 3-point field goal percentage, 22nd for free throw percentage, and 3rd for offensive rebounding.  In comparison on defense, the Knicks have NBA rankings of 13th for scoring defense, 3rd for field goal percentage permitted, 12th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 7th for defensive rebounding. 

Game 3 Recap – Knicks Melt Under the Heat of Miami

 To summarize, it was one of the worst shooting games of the season for the Miami Heat.  Miami was 39% from the field, 22% from 3-point range, and barely 50% on usually easy shots at the rim.  Yet it didn’t matter.  Cause by the defense, which is the Heat staple, even in these high-scoring NBA days.

Indeed, the Miami defense came through and moved them two wins away from another trip to the Eastern Conference finals.  Also, Jimmy Butler returned from his sprained right ankle to score 28 points.  While Max Strus added 19, and the Heat topped the New York Knicks 105-86 to take a 2-1 lead in their East semifinal series.  Additionally, Bam Adebayo had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Miami.

As poorly as the Heat shot, the Knicks were worse.  To illuminate, New York was 34% from the field, 20% from the 3-point range, and 46% from the restricted area around the rim.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks CashBet Free Pick   

On this occasion, Miami has the NBA gambling momentum.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks CashBet Best Bet

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