The New York Knicks got a taste of the playoff Heat in Game 1. They have a chance to tie the series 1-1 with another home game on Tuesday.
The Miami Heat are this year’s most impressive postseason story. The bewildering truth is that they played an NBA Finals in 2020 and a conference final last year, yet this organization keeps impressing. New York found that out on Sunday afternoon in the first match of their second-round tussle, which the Heat won 108-101.
The NBA savants have placed New York as -7 favourites on the NBA odds. That seems like a lot, and we’ll explain why below. The total is predicted at 207.0.
Heat vs. Knicks NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
Apart from Miami’s impressive victory in Game 1, the big news was Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury. He rolled it late in the game as the Heat were pushing for insurance buckets. He is currently listed as Out. We’re writing this on Monday morning and Game 2 is Tuesday night. Anything can happen, but one suspects that with a 1-0 cushion, the Heat might not rush Butler back into action. Consider that the worst-case scenario would be a split in Manhattan with two games in Florida to follow. It should also be noted that Julius Randle is still Day-to-Day.
The current data still has Miami -161 for the series to New York’s +121. In the first round, Miami caught everyone’s attention by taking the first contest against Milwaukee before getting blown out in the second. Likewise for New York, who surprised the Cavaliers before the latter thumped them to split games 1 and 2. It will be interesting to see how the sides approach what is a critical juncture in the series. Can the Heat claim a 2-0 lead without Butler? Even if the Knicks tie it, they’ll have done so with the opposition missing its best player.
The Knicks have not partaken in a playoff game in which the over connected.
Miami Heat
It goes without saying that Heat Nation holds its breath regarding Butler’s health for Game 2 and the series. They can take solace in the fact that he was not as humungous a factor in Game 1 as he had been in Games 4 and 5 of the previous series.
That’s not to say he wasn’t impressive. He led the Heat with 25 points and a spectacular 11 rebounds. He also frequently snuck behind New York’s defence in the third quarter for long bomb passes from Kevin Love. Make no mistake about it, Jimmy Buckets left his mark on game 1, but other Miami players did their part as well. Kyle Lowry had one of his best games off the bench with 18 points, most of which came at critical moments in the second half. Gabe Vincent tallied at least 20 points for the second game in a row. Miami trailed at the midway point 55-50 but played great defence in the third and fourth quarters, which helped them win 108-101.
New York Knicks
This was not how the Knicks envisioned their second-round series would start. Yes, the Heat surprised many by eliminating the Bucks in round one, but one would have thought the surprise factor had worn off and New York would be prepared.
It was the second-half collapse that was concerning. Milwaukee had many late leads against the Heat and failed to capitalize, and it was surprising to witness the Knicks experiencing similar turbulence. They were discombobulated after the halftime pause, rarely ready to regroup on defence after they made a bucket and they gave up rebounds on plenty of empty possessions. Free throw shooting was a factor as well. Despite outshooting the Heat 47.7 per cent to 42.4 from the field and obliterating them in the paint 62-38, Miami made 23 of 29 free throws and New York 12 of 20 in a game that was decided by seven points. RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson led the team in scoring with 26 and 25 points.
Game 2 Prediction: Who Will Win Heat vs. Knicks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 27 Apr 2:51pm | MIA | -6.5 -109 | O +150.5 -112 |
| Closing 2 May 11:16pm | MIA | -10 -110 | O +207.5 -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 2:51pm MIA -6.5 -109 O +150.5 -112 Closing 2 May 11:16pm MIA -10 -110 O +207.5 -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.