Knicks vs. Heat Game 3 Preview, Odds, Lines, Predictions, Picks (May 6)

Even without Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat were a tough nut to crack for the New York Knicks. After opening the series with a win, the Heat had a chance to make a double break in the Big Apple, but missed it, allowing the Knicks to break them in the final period and keep themselves in this series. Jimmy B should be ready for Game 3 in Florida, so the Heat fans are fired up. On the other side, the Knicks have an agenda of their own, which includes winning and taking back the home-court edge.

• Knicks Odds +125
• Heat Odds -150
• Spread Knicks -3
• Over/Under 208

Here is the preview for Lakers vs. Warriors Game 2.

Preview

New York Knicks (+125) edged out the rivals in the final period to win Game 2, 111-105. It was a tough win, but the Knicks managed to navigate well under pressure and eventually level the score in the series. 

Jalen Brunson led the way with 30 points, 10-for-19 FG, hitting six threes and creating havoc by constantly pushing the Heat defenders. Julius Randle had a double-double 25 buckets and 12 boards, and everything is much easier with him at a high level. RJ Barrett also had a good game with 24 points.

However, the X-Factor here was Josh Hart, one assist short of a triple-double. Hart had 14 points, 11 boards and nine assists, doing all the dirty work and acting as the glue of the team. His incredible dedication and sacrifice covered up the mistakes Brunson, Randle, Barrett, and others made. 

Miami Heat (-150) didn’t have Jimmy in New York but were anyway close to the victory. Erik Spoelstra’s team has been cursed with injuries in the last few years, and even though it has one of the best rosters in the NBA, it’s never healthy nor complete to use that quality. 

Two backup players (in normal circumstances), Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent, led the Heat in the Big Apple with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Max Strus scored 17, while Bam Adebayo had 15 and eight boards plus six assists.

Controlling the glass was a problem for the guests, who had only 34 boards, 16 fewer than the Knicks, which is kinda normal because the Heat lack size under the rime, even with Adebayo in the lineup. That’s where Hart made the difference, as he didn’t have a strong rival against him to prevent him from reaching a double-digit number of boards. 

Head to Head Games

The Heat won Game 1, 108-101, and then the Knicks responded 111-105. When looking at the seasonal series, the team from the Big Apple has an advantage because they won three games, compared to Miami’s one.

Predictions

Butler should be ready to play in Miami, and with him in the lineup, the Heat has much better prospects of winning this event. It’s not odd to see the bookies listing them as 3-point favorites, because Spoelstra knows how to adapt and adjust to any circumstance. Conversely, the Knicks showed resilience, but we weren’t impressed with how they won Game 2. That’s why we pick the Heat to triumph in Florida and take a 2-1 lead in the series. 

 Pick: Miami Heat -3 -110