Prediction: Bet Knicks to cover
- Over/Under: Miami vs New York (207)
- Spread: Knicks -4.5
- Pick: Bet New York to cover
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Game preview Miami vs New York
Injuries are the main story line to this series with the Knicks possibly having Julius Randall miss some time and the Heat with Herro and Oladipo. The Knicks home-court advantage should come into play but Jimmy Butler will try to put the Heat on his back and lead them to victory.
After the New York Knicks completed a triumphant win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, fans took to the streets in New York City like never before.
As with the Heat, however, the Knicks also experienced injuries during their first-round series against Cleveland. Julius Randle suffered an ankle sprain during Game 5, leaving him out for good in that contest and hindering his play significantly in subsequent ones.
Jalen Brunson has been an invaluable addition to New York, while RJ Barrett has recently shown himself capable of exceptional offensive basketball. Mitchell Robinson has done an outstanding job defending and cleaning up around the rim, while Josh Hart has taken to accepting challenging defensive assignments while hitting 45.5% from 3-point range.
Even without Randle’s health being certain, all the pieces are present to take on the Heat.
Can the Heat win in New York?
The Heat created history when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the first play-in team ever to win an entire playoff series in NBA history. Unfortunately, however, their victory was at a cost – Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo suffered extensive injuries that will force them out for their next series against New York Knicks.
Jimmy Butler has raised his game exponentially during this postseason. He leads all playoff scorers (37.5 average per game) thanks to 56-point and 42-point performances in Games 4 and 5, guiding the Bucks back home.
Butler quickly transformed into a three-point marksman after joining the Heat last season, taking just 1.6 attempts per game and hitting 35% of those attempts he attempted – something unfathomable during this playoff run when shooting an astonishing 44.4% success rate!
Even as Miami enjoys its most historic postseason, its mission remains unfinished: They still require 12 more victories before winning another NBA Title
Our Betting Pick for Today – Bet the Nuggets -2.5
The Knicks beat the Heat 3-1 in the regular season matchups and get the advantage of playing at home in Game 1. Plus, none of their four wins over the Cavs were by fewer than four points, the Knicks are hot. Take New York to cover.
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