The Miami Heat (9-5) visit New York to take on the Knicks (8-8) in what should be a low-scoring game. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, Nov. 27 and can be seen on SUN, MSG, C+ and C+D.
The Knicks are expecting a better outcome after their 100-91 loss to the Magic on Wednesday. Despite the loss, Carmelo Anthony earned his fourth double-double this season with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Heat, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their awful 104-81 loss against the Pistons on Wednesday. Miami still lost despite the best efforts of Hassan Whiteside, who recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Kristaps Porzingis has taken his game to another level for the Knicks, averaging 18.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. New York ranks 26th in the league in possessions per game (96.2), while Miami is 30th (94.4). Furthermore, the defense of the Heat should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re first in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 44.8%), while the offense of the Knicks ranks 29th in effective field goal percentage (45.8%).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Heat winning the first matchup 95-78. In the loss, Anthony led all scorers on the team with 21 points.
The Heat are a slim one-point favorite over New York. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 188 points for this matchup. The Knicks have gone 8-8 Straight Up (SU) and 10-6 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Knicks are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .814 from the free throw line. New York’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the league. The Knicks allow a .295 opponent three-point field goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the league. Not making mistakes with the ball is a staple of New York’s offense, which averages just 12.9 turnovers per game.
In the other locker room, the Heat have 9-5 SU and 6-8 ATS records. Against the Eastern Conference, Miami is 4-4 SU and 3-5 ATS. The Heat allow just 92.6 points per game, ranking them second in the league. The Heat have the best opponent field-goal percentage in the league at .405. Taking care of the basketball is something the Heat do very well, averaging just 13.2 turnovers per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Miami beat New York, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 8-2. With an 8-2 record, the Heat also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – NY, ATS Winner – NY, O/U – Under
Notes
New York is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York’s last 13 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 6 games at home.
New York is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games at home.
New York is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of New York’s last 22 games when playing Miami.
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami.
New York is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York’s last 11 games when playing at home against Miami.
On average, Miami puts up 96.3 points per game (ranked 27th), while New York allows 97.8 points per game (ranked eighth).
Miami scores an average of 89.0 points per away game (ranked 30th), while New York gives up 95.9 points per home game (ranked eighth).
New York is 5-6 when it allows fewer than 100 points. The Heat have an even 5-5 record when they score under 100.
Miami is undefeated (4-0) in games where it puts up 100 or more points, while New York has a 3-2 record when allowing at least 100 points.
The Knicks have an offensive rating of 101.1 (ranked 19th). The Heat rank second for their defensive rating of 96.0.
New York averages 96.2 possessions per game, scoring 1.011 points on each possession. While Miami averages fewer possessions per game with 94.4, the team scores more points per possession with 1.020.
New York has an average effective field goal percentage of 45.8%. Miami is an even 3-3 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the New York Knicks make 19.4 assists per game and the Miami Heat make 19.4. New York is ranked 24th, while Miami is ranked 25th.
The Miami Heat top the league in blocking, with 8.1 made per game. The New York Knicks average 5.6 blocks per game (ranked 12th).
The New York Knicks are among the best offensive rebounding teams in the league (ranked third). The Miami Heat are one of the top defensive rebounding teams (ranked sixth).
The New York Knicks make an average of 6.6 steals per game. When the Miami Heat allow 6 or more steals, they are a solid 7-3.
