The Miami Heat (20-17) will be at home in AmericanAirlines Arena when they meet the New York Knicks (18-20). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 201 points with Miami set as a 5-point favorite. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox Sports Sun.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Free Preview
The Knicks got blown out by the Washington Wizards in their last contest, 121-103. Michael Beasley had a good performance for New York, leading the team in scoring with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Washington had an effective field goal percentage of 0.648 (above their season average of 0.516). New York, on the other hand, held the Wizards to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.6 (below their season average of 22.7).
In the Heat’s last game, they topped the Detroit Pistons, 111-104. With 25 points on 11-for-15 shooting, Kelly Olynyk was the top scorer from either team. The Heat held the Pistons to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.8 (below their season average of 23.8) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.613 (above their season average of 0.525).
Of New York’s 38 games, 20 have finished under the projected point total, while 22 of Miami’s 37 games have finished under the projected point total. The Heat have the better straight up (SU) record (20-17 vs. 18-20), but the Knicks hold the significant advantage against the spread (ATS) (20-18 vs. 16-19-2).
Josh Richardson has taken his game to another level as of late for Miami, averaging 17.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 201 points, which was under the projected point total of 207. The Knicks won 115-86, covering as 2-point favorites. The Knicks played a nearly perfect game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.301 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.7. For those same stats, the Heat recorded marks of 0.143 and 17.0, respectively. Enes Kanter recorded a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
New York Knicks at Miami Heat Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Heat rank fourth in assists allowed per game (20.7) while the Knicks rank 15th (22.6).
- Miami ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.8) while New York ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- Miami ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (9.4) while New York ranks 12th (10.6).
- Miami averages 15.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 22nd in the NBA. New York ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.4).
- On the road, New York is 5-11 ATS with 8 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
- Miami is 5-11-2 ATS at home with 10 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
- When allowing less than 100 points, New York is 8-1 and Miami is 13-3.
- The Knicks are 17-9 when they score above 100 points, while the Heat are 15-6.
- The Knicks rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.3) while the Heat rank 11th (42.1).
- New York ranks second in second chance points per game (14.8) while Miami ranks last (9.5).
- The Heat rank first in three pointers allowed per game (25.2) while the Knicks rank 28th (31.2).
- The Heat average 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 19th in the league. The Knicks rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- New York ranks ninth in points in the paint per game (46.7) while Miami ranks 26th (40.5).
Betting Trends:
- Miami is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, New York is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Heat’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.6, up from 1.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
