New York Knicks (52-37) vs. Miami Heat (50-41)
May 6, 2023 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -3.5; Over/Under: 208.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Knicks and Miami Heat meet Saturday in Game 3 of the NBA East Semifinals Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The New York Knicks are averaging 101.4 points on 44 percent shooting and allowing 97.7 points on 44.5 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 25 points and 4.4 rebounds, while RJ Barrett is averaging 19.6 points and 4.7 rebounds. Julius Randle is the third double-digit scorer and Josh Hart is grabbing 8.3 rebounds. The New York Knicks are shooting 29.1 percent from beyond the arc and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. The New York Knicks are allowing 33.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.4 rebounds per game.
The Miami Heat are averaging 119 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 115.1 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Jimmy Butler is averaging 35.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo is averaging 16.9 points and 8.4 rebounds. Gabe Vincent is the third double-digit scorer and Caleb Martin is grabbing 5.7 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc and 75.2 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.9 rebounds per game.
The Knicks are 38-16-1 ATS in their last 55 road games and 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The under is 6-1 in Knicks last 7 overall. The over is 19-7 in Heat last 26 overall. The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Miami.
This will be the first time in these playoffs where the Miami Heat are favored, and I’m expecting Jimmy Butler to play. The New York Knicks are 21-11 ATS when favorites of 5 or fewer points, and they’re 28-15-1 ATS on the road. There’s reason to consider the Knicks and the points. Still, the Heat has comfortably been the better team in his series, winning the first game and nearly pulling out the second effort without Herro and Butler. Assuming Butler plays, it’s hard to pass up the small chalk with the Heat at home.
