NBA Odds: Knicks (even)
The Miami Heat (22-30) travel to New York to take on the Knicks (10-43) in what should be a low-scoring game. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 20 and can be seen on Sun Sports and MSG.
The Knicks are hoping for a better outcome after their 89-83 loss to the Magic in their last matchup. Jason Smith was the team’s leading scorer with 25 points. The Heat, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the awful 113-93 loss against the Cavaliers in their last game. Miami still lost despite the best efforts of Hassan Whiteside, who recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. New York ranks 28th in the league in possessions per game (93.3), while Miami is 30th (91.7). Also, the offense of the Heat seems ready to earn plenty of trips to the line. They rank third in the NBA in free throw attempt rate (30.9), while the Knicks are among the league’s most foul-happy teams (allowing a 29th-ranked mark of 31.6).
The Heat have emerged victorious in both games against the Knicks this year, including a 109-95 win the last time these two teams met. Chris Bosh was the game’s top overall scorer with 32 points.
The odds for New York and Miami are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Knicks come into this game 10-43 Straight Up (SU) and 21-30-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 6-27 SU and 13-19-1 ATS against the Eastern Conference.
As for their opponent, the Heat have a record of 23-27-2 ATS and 22-30 SU. Against the Eastern Conference, Miami is 15-16 SU and 15-15-1 ATS. Miami’s defense allows just 96.6 points per game, ranking them second in the league.
In their previous meeting this season, Miami beat New York, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 6-4. With a 6-4 record, the Heat also have the advantage ATS. New York held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice, while Miami was never able to do so in their most recent 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, ATS Winner – MIA
Notes
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games.
New York is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York’s last 9 games.
New York is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games at home.
New York is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
New York is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of New York’s last 20 games when playing Miami.
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
New York is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Miami.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 5 games when playing at home against Miami.
On average, Miami puts up 92.8 points per game (ranked 28th), while New York gives up 100.2 points per game (ranked 19th).
Miami puts up an average of 92.0 points per away game (ranked 29th), while New York allows 98.0 points per home game (ranked 14th).
When New York gives up fewer than 100 points, the team has a poor 9-17 record this season. Miami also has an underachieving record when it puts up fewer than 100 (11-24).
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Knicks are just 1-26 this season. Miami is a solid 11-6 when it reaches the century mark.
The Knicks have an offensive rating of 99.2 (ranked 27th). The Heat rank 23rd for their defensive rating of 105.3.
The New York Knicks average 93.3 possessions per game and .992 points per possession, while the Miami Heat earn fewer possessions (91.7) but more points per possession (1.011).
The New York Knicks average an effective field goal percentage of 48.1% this season. The Miami Heat have a subpar record of 8-24 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.1% or greater.
New York makes an average of 21.5 assists per game (ranked 16th), while Miami makes 20.1 assists per game (ranked 29th).
New York makes an average of 4.0 blocks per game (ranked 26th). Miami ranks higher in blocks with 4.2 (ranked 24th).
The New York Knicks rank 17th in offensive rebounding, while the Miami Heat rank 28th in defensive rebounding.
The Miami Heat average 8.0 steals per game. When giving up 7 or more steals, the New York Knicks have an abysmal record (7-31) this season.
