New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Preview (5/6/23): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
Contents
After evening the series in Game 2 at home, the New York Knicks will look to steal Game 3, and home-court advantage, in Miami on Saturday. Check out a complete analysis of this bout below, including our game predictions, betting picks, current odds, and more!
New York Knicks Vs. Miami Heat Betting Odds
The New York Knicks are four-point road dogs against Miami in a pivotal Game 3 on Saturday. New York’s only notable injury is to Jericho Sims, who will miss the bout. Everyone else should be healthy and ready to go.
Meanwhile, the Heat have several players on their injury report, including Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo, Caleb Martin, and Jimmy Butler. Herro and Oladipo are listed as out, while Martin and Butler will likely be game-time decisions.
New York Knicks Vs. Miami Heat Prediction
The Heat return to Miami after a successful mission in New York: split games. Interestingly enough, Miami almost snuck away with a second win against the Knicks, and if Jimmy Butler would have been available, it probably would have done just that.
However, the Knicks were able to squeak away with a narrow six-point win after shooting 40% from deep and outrebounding the Heat by 16. New York also took 13 more free throws than Miami in Game 2. Needless to say, it is hard to feel good about a single-digit win at home without the opposing team’s best player available, especially considering how well they shot the ball.
Ultimately, the outcome of Game 3 rests on Jimmy Butler’s shoulders; if he can play and be somewhat effective, it is difficult to see the Knicks repeating their 40% shooting night from deep and outrebounding Miami by double-digits again. Further, the Heat are 2-0 at home in the 2023 Playoffs, with two convincing wins over Milwaukee, who they held to very modest offensive nights.
Keep an eye on Butler’s availability, but if he is able to play, the Heat are in a terrific position. Miami matches up well with New York and has ramped up defensively in the postseason. The Heat have also ranked first in 3P% and third in FG% offensively. This team could be a title-contending dark horse.
Betting Trends
- New York is 4-3 ATS in the 2023 Playoffs
- Miami is 6-1 ATS in the 2023 Playoffs
- The combined over record of these two teams is 7-7 in the 2023 Playoffs
- Miami’s over record is 6-1 in the 2023 Playoffs
Key Matchups
Jalen Brunson and Gabe Vincent have put together some memorable performances already in this second-round matchup between the Heat and the Knicks; however, which player will be able to help carry their team to a critical Game 3 win on Saturday? Check out our analysis below on the battle of the point guards!
Jalen Brunson vs. Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent is one of the several Miami Heat players that have stepped up in a big way in the 2023 Playoffs. With Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro going down with season-ending injuries, Vincent was forced to step into a more prominent offensive role. Vincent has been a reliable backup point guard for quite some time but has scarcely thrived in a more full-time starting role.
However, Vincent has been masterful in his past three games, posting an average of 21 points on 36% shooting from deep. Further, he has dished out 5.3 assists while only committing 0.7 turnovers for a shockingly impressive 7.5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Can Vincent continue this play, or will Jalen Brunson help New York steal back home-court advantage with a huge game?
Vincent has a relative advantage in this spot; he has been playing arguably his best basketball in the NBA recently, while Brunson has had some issues with efficiency on the road in the 2023 playoffs. In three road games this postseason, Brunson has shot 22% from behind the arc, which is a troubling number for a primary scorer on an already struggling three-point shooting team. Vincent and the Heat should grab a win in Game 3. Slight Advantage: Vincent.
New York Knicks Starting Lineup
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Josh Hart
SF: R.J. Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Miami Heat Starting Lineups
PG: Gabe Vincent
SG: Max Strus
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Kevin Love
C: Bam Adebayo
Key Injuries
New York Knicks Injuries: Jericho Sims (Out)
Miami Heat Injuries: Jimmy Butler (Q), Caleb Martin (Q), Tyler Herro (Out), Victor Oladipo (Out)
