NBA Handicapping Predictions – Knicks vs Heat
The Knicks were absolutely killed in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference series and they have to forget about that game and get back to business tonight.
Venue/ Stadium American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
Time/Date: 7 PM EST Monday, April 30, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Heat -9.5
Over/Under: 184
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Preview
In Game 1 the Knicks only shot 35.7% from the floor and both Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamore were ice cold. NBA lines have the Heat as 9.5-point home favorites with a total of 184.
In Game 1 the Heat beat the Knicks 100-67, which was the biggest playoff blowout since the 2006 season.
This season the Knicks are 36-31 ATS with an O/U record of 27-40 and the Heat are 33-34 ATS with an O/U record of 25-40-2.
While Melo and Stoudamire struggled in Game 1 King James was stellar scoring 34 points on 10/14 shooting and Dwyane Wade chimed in for 19 points also shooting over 50% from the floor. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Not only are the Knicks coming off a blowout loss, but also Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis are questionable. Chandler has flu-like symptoms and Davis is a question mark because of his back injury.
Chandler may be key for the Knicks tonight, as he was brought over from Dallas to be their anchor on defense. He only played 21 minutes in Game 1 because of foul trouble and he did not score and only nabbed 3 rebounds. He has to play good D in the paint and now allow James and company to get in the lane for easy buckets.
The Knicks were sloppy with 24 turnovers in Game 1 against the Heat and their solid defense and they must be more careful with the rock tonight.
How bad was it for the Knicks in Game 1? Well, Davis was the only starter that shot at least 50% from the field and he may not even play in Game 2.
Melo and Stoudamire must play well and not only score in this game, but shoot a high FG%.
Knicks vs. Heat Betting Trends
The Knicks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points, and they have an Under record of 7-0-1 in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 22-5 in their last 27 home games.
Jason’s Pick: With all the injuries for the Knicks and with the Heat rolling I have to go with Miami in this game to win and even cover the big 9.5-point spread.
