This conference tilt in the Big Apple is one of the most interesting duels of the NBA seven-game slate on Thursday, February 2, and here you can get the best Heat vs. Knicks betting pick and odds.
New York is hoping to avoid the third straight loss when they welcome Miami at Madison Square Garden. The Heat are slight -1.5 favorites on BetRivers NY, while the total is set at 213 points. These conference rivals will meet for the first time this season.
Heat edged the Cavaliers on the road
The Miami Heat (29-23, 21-29-2 ATS) won four of the previous five games, including the latest one over the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. The Heat are currently on a four-game road trip, which will end with a clash against Milwaukee on Saturday. Miami kept the Cavs to just 18 points in the final quarter and Donovan Mitchell missed a three-point shot to force overtime as the Heat won 100-97. Miami did shoot only 43.6% from the field but made 18 free throws opposite Cleveland’s six. That turned out to be crucial in this one.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, five assists, and team-high three steals. Bam Adebayo posted a double-double of 18 points and game-high 11 rebounds, Tyler Herro added 18 points and five boards, while Caleb Martin recorded a double-double of 18 points and ten rebounds.
SF Duncan Robinson (finger), C Omer Yurtseven (ankle), and F Nikola Jovic (back) are out indefinitely and will not play on Thursday in New York.
Knicks fell short of the Lakers in OT
The New York Knicks (27-25, 26-24-2 ATS) opened their four-game homestay with a 129-123 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the second defeat in a row following a road loss to the Brooklyn Nets, which means that the Knicks now lost six of the last eight games. The Knicks scored the final six points in regulation to force OT against the Lakers, but Los Angeles was better in overtime. New York wasn’t good from the floor, shooting 44.9%, and making just 20.6% from downtown.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 37 points and six assists. Julius Randle recorded a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds along with five dishes, Immanuel Quickley had 19 points and team-high eight dimes, while Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double of 16 points and game-high 13 boards.
C Mitchell Robinson (thumb) will probably miss a month and is not going to play on Thursday against the Heat.
Trends:
Miami:
7-19-1 ATS in the last 27 games following an ATS win
1-4-1 ATS in the last six Thursday games
New York:
NA
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Pick
Miami is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA that allows 108.2 points per game, which is the second-best defense. However, the Heat have the least efficient offense that scores 108.5 ppg opposite New York’s 114.4 ppg, and given that the Knicks also have a solid D that surrenders 112.7 ppg, I am backing the hosts to cover, while I wouldn’t be surprised if they edge the Heat in this one. R.J. Barrett had a weak display against the Lakers and I am backing him to bounce back here, although it won’t be easy in a matchup against Jimmy Butler.
Sports Betting Pick: Take the Knicks at +3.5 (-133)
The Total
Even though the Heat have the worst offense in the league and the fact that both teams are not even in the top 25 when it comes to pace, I am going with Over because of New York’s leaky defense of late. The Knicks allowed 122+ points in five of the previous eight games and lost all five. Although I don’t expect them to lose here, I do back the Heat to score 110+. Over is 6-2 in the last eight H2H meetings; Over is 5-1 in the Knicks’ previous six overall, while Over is 4-0 in New York’s last four games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Pick: Go Over 211.5 points (-130)
