The Eastern Conference’s second-round matchup between the eighth-seeded Miami Heat and fifth-seeded New York Knicks gets underway on Sunday.
Despite that both clubs were underdogs in the first round – considerably so in Miami’s case – each not only emerged victorious from their series but won 4-1. Many believed the Knicks-Cavaliers would be a marathon given their close proximity in the regular season standings but it ended up being mostly a sprint for the Manhattan-based side. As for the Heat-Bucks contest, well, few predicted that outcome, certainly not so swift and decisive a conclusion.
The basketball gurus have placed the Knicks as -4.5 favourites on the NBA odds with a total set at 207.5
Heat vs. Knicks NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
Miami and New York crossed paths four times this year, with New York capturing three of the outings. None was decided by more than nine points and two were won by only two points. New York was able to win of its games in Miami. For the series, New York is a slight -164 favourite.
As for covering spreads in the postseason, in the case of both clubs results have mirrored whether they outright won the game or not. If we include the Heat’s two play-in tilts, they have a 5-2 record ATS since they fell to the Hawks in the very first play-in match and lost in Game 2 against the Bucks. Interestingly, the over connected in the two play-in games but in none of the five first-round bouts.
As mentioned, the Knicks also covered when they won a match and failed to cover when they lost in round one, thus they sport a 4-1 ATS tally. The similarities don’t stop there. Just like with the Heat, the Knicks-Cavs series saw the under hit in every contest.
Miami Heat
What more can be said or written about what Erik Spoelstra’s Miami side accomplished in the initial round of the postseason? Milwaukee was pegged by many pundits to reach the NBA Finals, and possibly win it. They had home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. And yet it is the Heat who stand rather than them.
There is a “never say die” mentality to the club, most notably its standout player Jimmy Butler. He leads the NBA playoff stats with 37.6 points per game, with a bucket load of them coming in the fourth quarter whenever his team needs him most. His performances in Game 4 when the Bucks led by double digits and of course Game 5 when just kept on scoring and staring down Jrue Holiday were stunning. Miami went through most of the series without either Tyler Herro or Victor Oladipo, meaning the onus was even more on Butler. The closest scorer was Bam Adebayo at 17.4, then Gabe Vincent at 13.0. The round-one win was surprising and impressive, but one wonders how much longer the Heat will remain in the playoffs if only Jimmy Buckets is doing the heavy lifting.
New York Knicks
Tom Thibodeau’s New York squad also took care of its round-one rival rather expediently. Many licked their chops at the prospect of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett clashing with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, but nothing special ever materialized. Randle, by the way, is listed as Day-to-Day at the time of writing.
The Heat could be in trouble in this series. Consider that the Knicks played brilliant lockdown defence against the Cavs in the previous round, limiting their opponents to less than 100 points in all four wins. True, Cleveland was a poor offensive unit in the regular season, but Miami was the lowest-scoring team in the NBA. Yes, they upped their game considerably in the first round, and the Knicks need to be wary of that, but by and large, if New York can do what they did to Mitchell and the Cavs, there is reason to believe they can pull off a similar performance against the Heat. Brunson leads the team in playoff points with 24.0.
Game 1 Prediction: Who Will Win Heat vs. Knicks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 27 Apr 3:02pm | MIA | -4 -110 | O +205.5 -110 |
| Closing 30 Apr 3:46pm | MIA | -4 -110 | O +211 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
25.14 |
| Assists |
6.19 |
| Rebounds |
9.96 |
| FG% |
77.6 |
| Steals |
1.36 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
27.82 |
| Assists |
5.64 |
| Rebounds |
9.27 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.45 |
| Blocks |
1.45 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Knicks Team Leaders
| Points |
22.91 |
| Assists |
5.31 |
| Rebounds |
9.17 |
| FG% |
62.7 |
| Steals |
1.83 |
| Blocks |
0.81 |
| Points |
25.14 |
| Assists |
6.19 |
| Rebounds |
9.96 |
| FG% |
77.6 |
| Steals |
1.36 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
26.91 |
| Assists |
5.86 |
| Rebounds |
9.87 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.82 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
27.82 |
| Assists |
5.64 |
| Rebounds |
9.27 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.45 |
| Blocks |
1.45 |
Injuries
Cody Zeller (PF)
Caleb Martin (SF)
Cody Zeller (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Kevin Love (PF)
Omer Yurtseven (C)
Cody Zeller (PF)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Haywood Highsmith (SF)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Jalen Brunson (PG)
Jalen Brunson (PG)
Jericho Sims (C)
Josh Hart (SG)
Isaiah Roby (SF)
Trevor Keels (SG)
Jalen Brunson (PG)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Wed | Foot - 06 / 06 / 23 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Caleb Martin (SF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 03 / 06 / 23 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 03 / 06 / 23 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23 | 3-4 | 1-6 | + - |
|
Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23 | 4-5 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Kevin Love (PF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23 | 5-5 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Omer Yurtseven (C) | Ques Fri | Nose - 18 / 05 / 23 | 6-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Cody Zeller (PF) | Prob Wed | Illness - 15 / 05 / 23 | 6-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23 | 6-7 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks. |
|||||
| Haywood Highsmith (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 11 / 05 / 23 | 6-7 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Fri | Illness - 10 / 05 / 23 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Fournier is tending to an illness, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Immanuel Quickley (SG) | Doub Fri | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Quickly is nursing an ankle sprain, and it is not expected he will dress against the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jalen Brunson (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 04 / 05 / 23 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Brunson is nursing right ankle soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jalen Brunson (PG) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23 | 1-4 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Brunson is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Jericho Sims (C) | out for season | Shoulder - 21 / 04 / 23 | 4-5 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Sims is sidelined while recovering from surgery for a right shoulder injury, and he will be out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Josh Hart (SG) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 17 / 04 / 23 | 5-5 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Hart is nursing a left ankle sprain, leaving his status versus the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round up in the air. |
|||||
| Isaiah Roby (SF) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 14 / 04 / 23 | 5-6 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Roby is out of action due to a right ankle sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Trevor Keels (SG) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 09 / 04 / 23 | 5-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Keels is sidelined with an illness, and it is unclear how long he will be debilitated. |
|||||
| Jalen Brunson (PG) | Ques Sat | Hand - 08 / 04 / 23 | 5-6 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Brunson is managing a right hand injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Out Fri | Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 | 6-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Robinson will not be available for Friday's contest against the Pelicans as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 27 Apr 3:02pm MIA -4 -110 O +205.5 -110 Closing 30 Apr 3:46pm MIA -4 -110 O +211 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 25.14
Assists 6.19
Rebounds 9.96
FG% 77.6
Steals 1.36
Blocks 1.85
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
Points 27.82
Assists 5.64
Rebounds 9.27
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.45
Blocks 1.45
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Knicks Team Leaders
Points 22.91
Assists 5.31
Rebounds 9.17
FG% 62.7
Steals 1.83
Blocks 0.81
Points 25.14
Assists 6.19
Rebounds 9.96
FG% 77.6
Steals 1.36
Blocks 1.85
Points 26.91
Assists 5.86
Rebounds 9.87
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.82
Blocks 1
Points 27.82
Assists 5.64
Rebounds 9.27
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.45
Blocks 1.45
-
Injuries
Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23Caleb Martin (SF)
Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23Kevin Love (PF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23Omer Yurtseven (C)
Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23Cody Zeller (PF)
Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23Haywood Highsmith (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Fri Illness - 10 / 05 / 23Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Doub Fri Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23Jalen Brunson (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 04 / 05 / 23Jalen Brunson (PG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23Jericho Sims (C)
out for season Shoulder - 21 / 04 / 23Josh Hart (SG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 04 / 23Isaiah Roby (SF)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 14 / 04 / 23Trevor Keels (SG)
Out indefinitely Illness - 09 / 04 / 23Jalen Brunson (PG)
Ques Sat Hand - 08 / 04 / 23Mitchell Robinson (C)
Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23 1-2 1-2 + - Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Caleb Martin (SF) Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23 1-3 1-3 + - Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23 1-3 1-3 + - Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23 3-4 1-6 + - Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23 4-5 2-7 + - Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kevin Love (PF) Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23 5-5 3-7 + - Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Omer Yurtseven (C) Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23 6-6 4-8 + - Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Cody Zeller (PF) Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23 6-6 4-8 + - Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23 6-7 5-8 + - Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks.
Haywood Highsmith (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23 6-7 5-8 + - Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Fri Illness - 10 / 05 / 23 1-1 2-0 + - Fournier is tending to an illness, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat.
Immanuel Quickley (SG) Doub Fri Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23 1-3 3-1 + - Quickly is nursing an ankle sprain, and it is not expected he will dress against the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 04 / 05 / 23 1-3 3-1 + - Brunson is nursing right ankle soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson (PG) Ques Tues Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23 1-4 3-2 + - Brunson is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat.
Jericho Sims (C) out for season Shoulder - 21 / 04 / 23 4-5 3-6 + - Sims is sidelined while recovering from surgery for a right shoulder injury, and he will be out of the lineup for the remainder of the season.
Josh Hart (SG) Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 04 / 23 5-5 3-7 + - Hart is nursing a left ankle sprain, leaving his status versus the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round up in the air.
Isaiah Roby (SF) Out indefinitely Ankle - 14 / 04 / 23 5-6 4-7 + - Roby is out of action due to a right ankle sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Trevor Keels (SG) Out indefinitely Illness - 09 / 04 / 23 5-6 4-8 + - Keels is sidelined with an illness, and it is unclear how long he will be debilitated.
Jalen Brunson (PG) Ques Sat Hand - 08 / 04 / 23 5-6 4-8 + - Brunson is managing a right hand injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Mitchell Robinson (C) Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23 6-6 5-8 + - Robinson will not be available for Friday's contest against the Pelicans as he will receive a day of rest.