Knicks vs Heat and Warriors vs Lakers NBA Best Bets (5/8/23): Expert Picks & Predictions

We kick off the week with another dual game slate on Monday night as both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers look to take a commanding two game series lead. The Knicks have been red hot before injuries have derailed their progress while the Warriors have continued to struggle on the road.

Both come into this one in desperation mode as they both need to find answers on how to defend the interior against the Lakers and Heat. It’s been an old school style of play that has led to their success, proving consistent two pointers are worth more than smothered threes.

Knicks vs Heat and Warriors vs Lakers Best Bets

Find best bets for Monday night’s two game slate with the New York Knicks taking on the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors looking to find road success against the LA Lakers. The Heat are a -4 favorite and are looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead while the Warriors are looking to even up the series at two a piece against the Lakers.

Jimmy Butler u28.5 Points

It’s not exactly settling fading playoff Jimmy, but this number has climbed too high. Especially since the Knicks are in desperation mode to even up the series before heading back home, most likely shifting their defensive focus on getting the ball out of Butler’s hands.

Butler averaged 22.9 points per game throughout the season but has been a man possessed since the start of playoffs, seemingly finding high quality looks at the rim with ease. The issue is that the Heat are inconsistent from deep, allowing the Knicks to back off and dare them to shoot over the top. This makes doubling Butler an easier task, playing closer together on opposite side coverage to help shift over even faster.

Heat -4

With Jimmy Butler looking to be nearly at full capacity with his tweaked ankle, this series may be a wrap as the Knicks lack the offensive firepower to give the Heat fits on the other end.

Brunson can’t do it himself as the lone playmaker, especially since the Knicks lack consistency in their perimeter shooting which allows the Heat to sag down and smother him on his drives into the interior. Looks for the Heat to continue giving the Knicks anemic offense fits as they lock up the interior and dare them to beat them from over the top.

Anthony Davis u25.5 Points

No, this is not a play on the trend of Anthony Davis only showing up on odd numbered games in the playoffs. He even went under this number in game three, finishing with 25 in a winning effort against the Warriors.

Instead, this is a play on Kerr’s ability to make defensive adjustments as we have seen in their previous losses. Davis is the key factor to the Lakers success, making it vital they throw more pressure at him in the interior. That means sagging more off the perimeter, sending help side coverage and an extra body in the opposite side passing lane.

Andrew Wiggins o5.5 Rebounds

With an emphasis on interior play in an attempt to slow down the Lakers scoring production, that means we may see the Warriors throw more bodies in the interior. Especially in their small-ball lineups, having Wiggins play the four and crashing the glass to help the undersized Draymond Green.

Andrew Wiggins has cleared this number in two of three games this series with the only one not cashing was in their blowout win in game two where he rested late down the stretch.

Warriors/Lakers u227.5

Going back to the well with an under in this series as this number was on pace to comfortably cover in game three before a late scoring burst nearly put this in jeopardy. The road Warriors underwhelming performances cannot be overstated as that has been a common theme for them throughout the season.

Their halt in scoring production plays a major role towards the under as they take on the sluggish pace of the Lakers scoring with their inability to crack their perimeter defense. Already lacking a perimeter presence themselves, the Lakers success relies on their ability to abuse the interior with post ups and slashes towards the rim which plays in our favor as well.