The Miami Heat will face off against the New York Knicks on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The teams have already met three times this season, with the Heat currently leading the season series 2-1.
Both teams enter this matchup with recent losses. The Heat suffered a defeat against the Boston Celtics on Friday, falling 129-116 while failing to cover an 8-point spread. Despite a strong performance from center Kel’el Ware, who scored 24 points, Miami has struggled, losing six out of their last seven games and struggling against the spread, going 1-6 in that period. They hold a 14-14 record against the spread for the season.
On the other hand, the Knicks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 116-107, also failing to cover as a home favorite. Guard Jalen Brunson led New York with 22 points and 9 assists. Despite the recent loss, the Knicks are in better form overall, winning six of their last seven games and posting a 5-2 record against the spread during that stretch. They are 17-10 against the spread this season.
BetMGM Sportsbook offers the following odds for the matchup: the Heat are at +260 on the moneyline, while the Knicks sit at -325. Against the spread, the Knicks are favored by 7.5 points. The over/under for the game is set at 235.5 points.
In terms of injuries, the Heat will be missing guard Tyler Herro due to a big toe injury and forward Pelle Larsson, who has an ankle issue. Guard Davion Mitchell is listed as questionable, along with forward Andrew Wiggins. The Knicks report that guard Miles McBride and guard Landry Shamet are out due to ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Experts predict a final score in favor of the Knicks, estimating they will win 121-111. The recommendation is to bet on the Knicks to cover the spread at -7.5 due to their strong home performance, coupled with Miami’s troubling recent form. Additionally, the preference leans toward betting on the under, considering both teams’ struggles with scoring, especially as the Heat have consistently failed to hit their offensive stride lately.
This matchup provides an opportunity for the Knicks to reinforce their status as a strong contender, while the Heat will need to regroup quickly to turn their season around.