The New York Knicks (47-35, 23-18 home) and the Miami Heat (44-38, 17-24 away) take the floor for a pivotal Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Playoff semifinals. Miami leads the series 3-1 after taking a pair of games in South Beach.
Wednesday’s tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. EST inside Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Knicks are a 3.5-point favorite, and the over/under total is 209.5 points.
What to Know – Miami Heat
The Heat are one win away from moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals after defending their home floor in Games 3 and 4. Miami would become just the second eight-seed to advance to the conference finals in NBA history.
Through postseason play, the Heat are scoring 116.3 points per game thanks to 48.1% shooting from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. Miami’s defense is holding opposing teams to 110.3 ppg, 45.9% shooting from the floor, and 33.9% from the 3-point line.
Jimmy Butler has been unstoppable in the postseason, leading the Heat by scoring 33.5 points per game. Butler, who is questionable for Game 5, was 9-for-17 with 27 points and ten assists in Monday’s victory.
Bam Adebayo is coming off his best game of the postseason after scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in Game 4.
Miami is 39-51-3 against the spread this season and 20-25-1 ATS on the road. The Heat have covered the spread in seven-straight contests leading into Wednesday’s tilt.
What to Know – New York Knicks
New York is now in win-or-go-home mode as the series returns to NYC. The Knicks came into the playoffs as the five-seed and are trying to return to the conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Offensively, the Knicks are scoring 99.7 ppg in the playoffs, shooting 43.2% from the field and 28.2% from three. New York’s defense is allowing 99.8 ppg, 44.1% shooting from the floor, and 32.1% from deep.
Jalen Brunson has been the engine for the Knicks offense, averaging 25.2 ppg in the playoffs. RJ Barrett (19.4 ppg) and Julius Randle (15.9 ppg) have added offensive production, with Randle notching a pair of double-doubles so far this series.
The Knicks own a 49-39-3 record ATS and a 21-22-2 mark ATS on their home floor. Recent trends show New York is 5-13 ATS when playing the Heat in the Big Apple.
The Pick is In
The status of Butler’s health is a major concern for bettors heading into Wednesday night’s matchup.
Miami can lock up the series and enjoy some rest with a win, but resting Butler in Game 5 and looking ahead to Game 6 might be the smarter play.
The Knicks are 3-1 at home in the playoffs, and with the series on the line we expect New York to play their best game of the series. Even if Butler goes, Miami will want to rest him as much as possible to keep him healthy. We like New York to cover.
The Pick: New York Knicks -3.5
