The East-leading Miami Heat (47-26) look to snap a two-game skid when they host the New York Knicks (31-42) Friday. Tip-off from FTX Arena will be at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Heat odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Knicks are fighting for their playoff lives right now, sitting five games back of the 10th-seed Atlanta Hawks. New York needs every victory it can get with only nine games remaining and its been making it interesting in recent weeks. The Knicks are 3-2 in their last five games and 6-4 in their last 10. While they rank seventh in points allowed (106.9), they’re just 27th in scoring (106.3).
The Heat have lost their last two games and now hold just a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They lost 113-106 to the Philadelphia 76ers as 8-point favorites Monday and were crushed 118-104 by the Golden State Warriors Wednesday despite being 9.5-point favorites. The Heat had won six of their eight games prior to the two losses.
Knicks at Heat odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Heat -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +6.5 (-115) | Heat -6.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Knicks at Heat key injuries
Knicks
- C Nerlens Noel (foot) out
- PF Julius Randle (quad) questionable
- SG Cam Reddish (shoulder) out
- C Mitchell Robinson (back) questionable
- PG Derrick Rose (ankle) out
Heat
- SF Jimmy Butler (ankle) questionable
- SG Tyler Herro (knee) questionable
- SF Caleb Martin (knee) questionable
- SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
- SF Duncan Robinson (Achilles) questionable
- SF P.J. Tucker (knee) questionable
- SG Gabe Vincent (toe) out
[tipico]
Knicks at Heat odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 110, Knicks 108
Money line
Both teams are fairly banged up and are in danger of potentially missing a couple of starters. That should keep the Knicks in this one, assuming Randle and Robinson are able to play.
However, I’m going to PASS with so much up in the air as of now, and the Heat money line sitting at a steep -270.
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Against the spread
The Heat have gone 0-5 ATS in their last five games and have lost three of those games outright despite being favored. The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as road underdogs, most recently with a 121-106 win at the Charlotte Hornets as 8.5-point ‘dogs.
I like the KNICKS +6.5 (-115) getting the points with the Heat in a bit of a rut. Monitor the injury situation, though.
Over/Under
The Over/Under is lower tonight with both teams injured. However, I like the OVER 215.5 (-107) even with questions about who will be available. The total has gone Over in the Heat’s last three games and in the last two Knicks contests, and I think that will continue Friday in Miami.
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