The Miami Heat accomplished their goal of getting a split in New York and stealing home court advantage from the Knicks. The series returns to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday, and the Heat is reportedly optimistic that Jimmy Butler will be able to play after missing Game 2 with a sprained ankle.
Below is the display information, odds and key storylines for each team participating in Game 3.
(8) Miami Heat at (5) New York Knicks
- Date: Saturday May 6 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Place: Miami
- TV channel: ABC
- Chances: Heat -3; O/U 208.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Heat: The big question, of course, is whether Butler will play. And if so, how effective? The Heat shot away from 3rd in Game 2 (49 tries) to try and make up for Butler’s absence, but this isn’t a team that’s shot well from deep this season (a red-hot series vs. Milwaukee is the exception). Butler is also one of the top foul takers in the league. He accounted for 11 of Miami’s 29 free throws in Game 1, so nine. Miami totaled just 12 free throws as a team in Game 2. These are the margins that make all the difference in a tight series.
Knicks: New York got 55 points from Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle in Game 2. Brunson, who went 0 for 7 out of 3 in Game 1, hit six of his 10 triples. Josh Hart was amazing, as he has been since arriving in New York, finishing one assist for a triple-double. But for me, RJ Barrett’s production was key. He scored 24 points on 5-of-9 3-point shooting. He was aggressive and confident. Barrett has averaged 25 points in this series so far, and if that passes as a third option, I think New York has a slight lead.
Prediction
I hate to go against Butler, but that seemed like a pretty bad ankle roll to me. He’ll get it out, but I think the longer this series goes on, the more the Heat looks like the team that barely got out of the play-in. I’m betting on the Knicks, especially on the points, with Jalen and Julius ahead, even on the road. The choice: Knicks +3