Tip off: 7 PM EST
Spread: MIA -10
Total: 185
M/L: MIA -725, NYK +575
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these NBA odds
Getting blown out badly is one thing, but losing one of your best perimeter defenders is quite another. Iman Shumpert tore his ACL and is out for the rest of the Playoffs, and for a team desperately trying to control Dwyane Wade, it couldn’t come at a worse time.
The Knicks knew going into this series they would need big defensive games from Shumpert and reserve swingman Landry Fields, but now they are without one of their best defenders in Shumpert, and they have no other guards capable of matching Wade’s size and athleticism. Expect Wade to have a big game two, and be big throughout the rest of the series.
There were few bright spots for the Knicks. They were absolutely unable to do anything with LeBron James, who erupted for 32 points. The Heat were an amazing +35 with James on the floor, and won the game by 33, holding the Knicks to only 67 points and limiting Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire to a combined 20 points. The Knicks need over twice that production from the duo to keep this a competitive series.
One bright spot, if any, for the Knicks was the playoff of J.R. Smith. He was aggressive and shot 17 times, hitting 7, en route to 17 points. Though the Knicks were a -20 with Smith on the floor, in a game they lost by over 30 in, that isn’t so bad. Look for Smith to try to get involved early and make Wade work defensively. They must challenge the Heat’s stars on the defensive end to prevent them from having an enormous series and making this one a sweep.
New York Betting Trends:
The Knicks are 35-31 ATS this season and 15-14 ATS as an underdog. They are 29-16 ATS in the second half of the season and 9-8 ATS vs Southeast Division opponents. They are 18-14 ATS vs teams with winning records and 8-5 ATS vs teams with winning records in the second half of the season.
Miami Betting Trends:
The Heat are 33-34 ATS this season and 32-30 ATS as a favorite. They are 24-22 ATS in the second half of the season and 18-20 ATS vs teams with winning records. They are 4-7 ATS in a home favorite between 9.5 and 12 pints and 8-9 ATS vs teams with winning records in the second half of the season.
