The New York Knicks return home from a five-game road trip as they welcome in the Miami Heat to Madison Square Garden tonight for a playoff rematch.
The Heat knocked out the Knicks in six games of the second round of the playoffs last season to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and, ultimately, the NBA Finals.
The Knicks posted a 3-2 record on its pre-Thanksgiving road swing as they lost the finale at Minnesota on Monday night.
New York enters tonight’s action with an 8-6 overall record, while winning its last three games at MSG.
Knicks vs. Heat prediction
Miami has caught fire of late, winning nine of its last 10 games overall and six of its last seven road contests.
Guard Kyle Lowry drilled seven three-pointers in Wednesday’s 129-96 rout of Cleveland, marking Miami’s third underdog cover in five tries this season.
The Knicks have won and covered in seven of eight games as favorites this season, including the last three on their home court.
This is the third game of four in the NBA In-Season Tournament for each of these teams, as Miami has posted a 2-0 mark in Group B of the East, while New York is 1-1.
Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks by averaging 24.2 points per game, although his numbers are much lower at home – 18.2 ppg in five contests at MSG.
However, he put up 30 or more points in four of the six matchups with the Heat in the playoffs last season.
The Heat have played without Tyler Herro the last two weeks and will be without him again tonight.
Betting on the NBA?
They could also be without Bam Adebayo, one of four players listed as questionable.
This season, the Knicks are tied for 26th in pace of play (98.7) and are ranked ninth in defensive efficiency (108.6).
They are 24th in scoring (110.1 ppg) and third best in points allowed (105.8).
There’s no reason to think this won’t be a grind-it-out game between these rivals and stay under the 212.5 total tonight.
Pick: Under 212.5 total -115 (BetMGM)
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