New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Prediction: Can Jimmy Butler, Heat Shine in East Semifinal Game 1?
The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks will meet for Game 1 of this Eastern Conference Semi-finals today. Can Jimmy Butler and the Heat keep on shining in these NBA Playoffs? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - April 30, 2023, 9:55 AM EDT
5 minNew York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Prediction: Can Jimmy Butler, Heat Shine in East Semifinal Game 1?
The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks will meet up from the world's most famous arena on Sunday afternoon for Game 1 of this Eastern Conference Semi-finals affair. Let’s be honest basketball is better when the Knicks are relevant due to the environment in Madison Square Garden. Neither of these teams was favored to win their first-round matchup, but here we are.
Knicks vs. Heat Game 1 Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Sunday, April 30, 2023
- Start Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 1 Prediction
The Knicks upsetting the Cleveland Cavaliers was one thing, but the real storyline was the Heat beating the Milwaukee Bucks. It is extremely rare to see a No. 8 seed knock off a number one seed, and it is even more rare to see it done in just five games.
Miami completely dominated the series, and the man responsible for the wins was Jimmy Butler. Playoff Jimmy was in full effect against Milwaukee, averaging 37.6 points per game in round one. New York is well aware that if they are to pull off this series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals, they will need to slow down Playoff Jimmy.
On the flip side, New York had a well-balanced attack that was led by Jalen Brunson, who averaged a team-high 24.0 points per game in round one. The real difference maker for the Knicks was their defense which allowed just 94.2 points per game. They now face the best offense in round one, as Miami averaged a league-high 124.0 points per game.
I am going to put my money on the Knicks in the Garden today. I understand the playoff Jimmy hype, and as great as he and the Heat have been, I have to expect their shooting to regress at some point. Now they face one of the best defenses in basketball, and this just feels like a game where they struggle to score.
Miami shot 51.9 percent as a team in round one, and that is not a sustainable number, in my opinion. Secondly, I expect a strong defensive game plan from Head Coach Tom Thibodeau on Jimmy Butler. Thibodeau has coached Jimmy on two different teams and knows his game better than anyone. Lastly, Miami is a public dog, and the line has still continued to move in the direction of the Knicks. I will fade the public dog today.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 1 Pick
Pick: New York Knicks -4 -118 is currently the best odds. Click here to find out which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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