Heat vs Knicks Prediction & Picks (Feb. 2): Miami’s Defense Frustrates New York at MSG

The Miami Heat are set to go one-on-one with the New York Knicks in one of seven NBA games slated for Thursday, Feb. 2. Even though we’re past the halfway point of the 2022-23 campaign, this is only the first Heat vs Knicks matchup of the season. With New York only being two games behind Miami for the final playoff spot out east, this is sure to be a competitive affair.

Knicks have played everyone in the East except the team two games ahead of them for that last guaranteed playoff spot –– but the Heat are in town tonight pic.twitter.com/HRMLskfqB8

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 2, 2023

The Heat enter tonight’s matchup following a 100-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. It was a back-and-forth battle, but Jimmy Butler’s game-high 23 points helped Miami secure the win.

Meanwhile, the Knicks fell 129-123 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers in their last outing. New York is now 2-6 in its last eight games and has struggled to get the job done at Madison Square Garden lately. Only time will tell if the Knicks can turn their luck around tonight.

There’s a lot to take in before Thursday’s Heat vs Knicks game. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the game’s odds while also having a prediction, the best bets and a player prop for tonight’s contest.

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Miami Heat (29-23, 12-14 Away) vs. New York Knicks (27-25, 12-14 Home)
• Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Heat vs Knicks TV Info: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Sun, MSG Network

Heat vs Knicks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8:01 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Miami Heat -1.5 (-110)
• New York Knicks +1.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 214.5 Points (-110)
• Under 214.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline

• Miami Heat -120
• New York Knicks +102

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Betting Trends

• Miami is 9-1 straight up in its last 10 games played in February.
• The Knicks are 2-6 straight up in their last six games.
• Miami is 8-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 11 games against the Knicks.
• The Knicks are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games against Miami.
• The total has hit the under in 10 of Miami’s last 12 games against the Eastern Conference.
• The total has hit the under in seven of the Knicks’ last 10 games against the Southeast Division.

Heat vs Knicks Prediction and Picks

Heat vs Knicks Prediction: Heat 109, Knicks 105

Heat vs Knicks Picks: Heat -1.5 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 214.5 Points Points (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline)

This meeting is a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions as of late.

On one hand, the Heat have been one of the hotter teams in the Association. Miami has gone 13-6 in its last 19 games, having not lost back-to-back games over that stretch. In fact, the Heat haven’t picked up consecutive losses since Dec. 23, proving just how strong they’ve been.

Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Buttler have both been crucial to the Heat’s success. Adebayo is averaging 22.4 points on 55.2% shooting with 10.4 rebounds over his last 17 games, finishing with 10 double-doubles over that stretch.

Meanwhile, Butler is operating at a 22.3 PPG clip over his last 16 games, hitting 51.1% of his field-goal attempts. Now, he gets to go against the Knicks, who he’s averaging 25.6 points against on 57.3% shooting over the last six meetings.

Strong defensive play has also helped the Heat succeed. The 104.5 PPG they’ve allowed over the last 15 games ranks No. 1 in the NBA over that span. That’s not even to mention how they’ve held opponents to a 47.1 FG% (No. 12) and 35.9 3P% (No. 11) while also averaging 9.0 steals (No. 2).

I see the Knicks’ attack running into issues with the Heat’s defense tonight. Accurate shooting hasn’t been there much for New York during its slide, highlighted by 47.6% field-goal (No. 18) and 36.0 three-point percentages (No. 21) over the last eight games.

The Knicks’ defense hasn’t been much better during that time, surrendering 121.8 PPG (No. 27). The Heat might not be one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, but they can still take advantage of poor defenses.

New York is also only 1-5 in the last six Heat vs Knicks matchups, having not beaten Miami at Madison Square Garden since January 2020. With the way both sides have been playing over the last few weeks, I don’t see that trend changing tonight.

Beating the Knicks by a basket won’t be a problem for the Heat, so back Miami to cover as -1.5 favorites. It also helps that the Heat are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against the Knicks, who are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games this season.

I also recommend backing the total going under 214.5 points. Heat games tend to be low-scoring affairs, after all. Furthermore, Miami and New York have finished with fewer than 214.5 points in five of their last six meetings, so brace for fewer points than expected.

Best Heat vs Knicks Prop Bet

Jimmy Butler — Over 21.5 Points (-106)

Butler enters tonight’s contest with a projected point total of 21.5 points. He’s had no issue surpassing that lately, averaging 23.3 points over his last 13 games, finishing with more than 21.5 in seven of those contests — including each of the last three.

On top of that, he’s also finished with the over in each of his last five games against the Knicks, including a 30-point effort in the most recent meeting in March 2022.

With the Heat looking to keep the ball rolling, expect Butler to step up with another strong performance.

Other Miami vs New York Resources

• Heat vs Knicks Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats