The New York Knicks, who are down 0-1 in this series, will host the Miami Heat for Game 2 on Tuesday, May 2. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET while airing on TNT. The Knicks enter this game as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 206.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Knicks vs. Heat predictions and odds below.
Knicks vs. Heat Odds
- Spread: Knicks -6.5
- Total: 206.5
Odds via PointsBet. New to this sportsbook? Check out our PointsBet Review to find out how to redeem up to $250 in second-chance bets.
Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, May 2
- Time: 7:30 pm ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
- TV: TNT
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Knicks Betting Trends
- Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 6-0 in Knicks last 6 overall.
Looking for NBA Props? Our Best NBA Player Props Today article is updated for every playoff slate!
Heat Betting Trends
- Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Knicks vs. Heat Predictions
The biggest news coming into this game revolves around the fact that Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is listed as questionable. Butler rolled his ankle in Game 1 but ended up playing through it. As of Tuesday morning, reports suggest he’s a true 50-50 gametime decision for Game 2.
There’s a chance the Heat use this as an opportunity to give Butler some rest in an effort to get healthy before the series moves back to Miami on Friday. After all, the Heat were able to steal a game in Madison Square Garden, so preserving their star player to ensure that he doesn’t aggravate this seems like a wise move.
However, this is Jimmy Butler we are talking about, an absolute grinder of a player who worked his way from junior college to NBA stardom. There’s an outside chance he’ll give it a go.
NBA INJURY ALERT: Heat SF/PF Jimmy Butler (ankle) is listed questionable for Tuesday's game vs. the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/z37HHR08XL
— DK Nation (@dklive) May 1, 2023
Having said that, this is a massive bounce back spot for the Knicks. They are at home in what’s an “all but” must-win game. Miami is limping with Butler banged up and Tyler Herro still out. If New York can’t get the job done here, its chances of advancing are in serious jeopardy.
Because of that, the Knicks should be able to use the home crowd to even the series. As you can see in the section above, New York is 4-0 against the spread in its last four games following an ATS loss. That supports the zig-zag theory of NBA playoff betting — taking the team that lost outright in the previous game and betting them against the spread.
Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson are listed as questionable, but both are highly incentivized to play while falling behind in the series.
Go ahead and back New York to win and cover the spread in Game 2, regardless of whether Butler decides to play on a bum ankle.
The Pick: Knicks -6.5 | -110 at PointsBet
