Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Point Spread Picks

The New York Knicks are off to an 8-4 start, trailing the Detroit Pistons by 2.5 games. Injuries to Boston and Indiana have created some openings at the top of the East, and New York is taking full advantage. The Miami Heat are 7-6 to start the season, but are just 4-5 in their last nine games. The Knicks will be playing with some urgency tonight, as they have started the season with an 8-1 home record but are 0-3 on the road. This team is too good to struggle against mediocre teams on the road. I look for a top effort by the Knicks tonight. Make the play on the NY Knicks on the moneyline.

The Knicks are in a potential letdown spot here as short road favorites after opening with satisfying victories against the Cavaliers and Celtics. New York also could be in for some cultural shock. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has changed his offensive philosophy this season. The Heat was one of the five slowest-paced teams in the NBA in each of the past six regular seasons. Now the Heat are the fastest-pace team in the NBA this season at 112.3 possessions per 48 minutes. They also average the third-most fast-break points in the league at 24 per game. This new Miami style caught Memphis totally off guard this past Friday. The Heat put up a franchise-record 86 first-half points in a stunning, 146-114, road victory against the Grizzlies. Miami connected on 19-of-40 shots from long range. The Heat's new up-tempo offensive attack hasn't hurt their always-tough defense. Miami has finished with a top-10 defensive rating in nine of the last 10 regular seasons and entered Saturday with the league’s fourth-best defensive rating, allowing 106.7 points per possessions. Center Mitchell Robinson is out for the Knicks with an ankle injury and star big man Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable due to a quad strain.Take the Heat.    

New York has lost four of six, and the Knicks have lost 0-7 ATS in their past seven home games, with 0-6 ATS as home favorites. They come off a 97-94 loss to Golden State, which ended an exhausting five-game West Coast trip and now they have just one day of rest. Miami looks to avenge a 116-112 overtime loss to the Knicks on March 2. New York is 0-6 ATS in its past six games against Eastern Conference teams and 3-10 ATS in its 13 games overall. The Knicks are without Jalen Brunson (ankle), and their 94 points against the Warriors matched their season low. Take the points with the Heat.