There’s no denying that the Knickerbockers are a better team this season as they close in on matching their win total from all of 2014-15. Of course, when you only win 17 games, it’s hard to go anywhere but up. The Heat delivered a pair of losses to New York in a five-day span in November holding the Knicks to 78 points each time.
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SCHEDULING
The Knicks got a win Sunday over the Hawks to avoid falling a season-worst five games under .500 and in a quirk in the NBA schedule, the teams will meet again on Tuesday, making it three matchups in 10 days for New York against last year’s Eastern Conference champions. Tuesday’s contest also kicks off a three-games-in-four-nights road trip for the Knickerbockers, who visit the Heat in the middle game. New York is 2-5 SU and 4-3 ATS in the second of back-to-back games this season while going 1-5 SU and 3-3 ATS on the road in such games. The trip concludes Friday in San Antonio where no visiting team has won this season.
Miami has been jostling with Atlanta for the top spot in the Southeast Division for most of the season and because of results against New York, the Heat hold a slim lead. Miami beat the Knicks twice in a five-game span in November by nearly identical scores. The Heat won 95-78 at home and 97-78 in the Garden, covering the spread both times. Miami’s home-heavy early-season schedule is about to end, making this matchup very important. The Heat will play 14 of their next 16 on the road following Wednesday’s tilt.
INJURIES
The Knicks will be without role player Cleanthony Early, who was shot in the leg during a robbery last week. Coach Derek Fisher said Early is out of the hospital and there is no structural damage to his leg. There is no timetable for his return. Also, Lou Amundson is dealing with a sore back that has forced him to miss several games. Neither player is a key member of the team’s rotation.
KEY MATCHUP
Heat center Hassan Whiteside can dominate a game without scoring. He’s on pace to obliterate the team record for blocked shots in a season, but up until about a month ago, coach Erik Spoelstra felt uncomfortable having him on the court in the fourth quarter of games. A talk with the coach and some help from his teammates now has Whiteside doing the dirty work that leads to wins. That was evident Sunday in a win over the Wizards, and most clearly in the second quarter, when Washington scored just two points during the seven minutes and 45 seconds that Whiteside was patrolling the paint, from the restricted area to the perimeter edge. Whiteside leads the NBA by a wide margin in blocks and also ranks fourth in rebounds. His commitment on the defensive end of the floor has him playing meaningful minutes at the end of games and he’s made an impact. He had six blocks against the Wizards on Sunday, including four off shot attempts by 6-foot-11 Marcin Gortat, leading the Washington big man to proclaim Whiteside the best shot blocker he’s ever seen.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Miami has done a nice job against the Knicks in two games this season, holding them to just 78 points in each contest. The Heat’s defensive efficiency has been problematic for the New Yorkers, who’ve been getting some help on the offensive end from Arron Afflalo, taking a big load off the shoulders of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. New York is close to matching its win total from last season and the Knicks have been a good bet, going 20-15 ATS through their first 35 games. However, the Heat matchup well and have covered in the first two meetings. Going on the road for 14 of their next 16 games makes this one even more important for the Heat, who would like to go off on a positive note. Whiteside will neutralize Porzingis and Miami has more offensive weapons. New York can stay close if Melo goes off and Afflalo continues his hot hand, but that’s a big if against a top defensive club.
Miami 97, New York 88
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