NBA Preview: Knicks Host Heat and Blazers Battle Celtics

Thursday night’s double-header on TNT gives the New York Knicks the chance to earn a morale boosting win over the Miami Heat. The second half sees the Boston Celtics head west to take on Portland.

Knicks can top battered Heat
Every NBA team has to deal with periods where its stars are injured and the Miami Heat are no exception. Having convincingly beaten the Knicks on their last visit to the Garden, Miami make the trip tonight without the services of Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Bosh is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain while Wade is battling migraines. That places much of the burden tonight on LeBron James, who will look for support from the resurgent Mike Miller.

The Knicks’ season has been all about momentum. They started slow, then got very hot before enduring a couple of losing streaks. New York snapped a six game losing streak on Sunday against the Wizards. Amare Stoudemire is averaging 27 points and 10.5 rebounds against the Heat this season and enters this game on the back of a 30-point effort against Washington. It may only be one win but momentum matters for the Knicks this season. The #5 seeding in the Eastern Conference is still within reach. NBA betting fans know that when a wounded power comes to town, a team in the Knicks’s position have to take their chance. Bet on the New York Knicks as +4.5 underdogs with Sports Interaction.

Celtics can romp in Rose Garden
Boston begins a four-game trip west with a game against an ailing Portland team. The Trail Blazers likely won’t have Brandon Roy available for the rest of the season while LaMarcus Alridge is expected to be well below 100 percent tonight. Portland’s woes will be compounded by the return of a fit-again Kendrick Perkins. The Celtics’ big man made his first appearance since Game 6 of last season’s NBA Finals in a win over the Cavs on Tuesday night. In what was effectively a tune-up, the Cavs have lost 18 straight, Perkins looked in great shape and should make his presence felt in the Rose Garden.

The match-up between Rajon Rondo and Andre Miller could prove interesting. They had a fascinating duel last month but Miller will be under pressure to do more than just outplay Boston’s creator-in-chief. A fit Portland team would be a tough match-up for Boston on the road. Instead the Blazers go into this game severely weakened. Bet on the Boston Celtics to win as -5.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.