NBA Preview: Miami visits New York at MSG
The Big Apple and Madison Square Garden host an NBA Eastern Conference showdown when the Miami Heat visits the New York Knicks. The current line has New York favored by 1 point with the over/under point total sitting on 198.5.
Entering this game, Miami has an overall record on the season of 32-26 straight up and 30-27 against the spread. On the road, the Heat is 14-14 SU and 15-13 ATS. New York on the season has a record of 25-35 SU and 32-28 ATS. At home, the Knicks are 15-16 SU and ATS.
On Saturday, Miami played with just 10 players in its loss to the Boston Celtics and announced following the game that they signed veteran guard Joe Johnson. The veteran is scheduled to play on Sunday against the Knicks.
Miami has had to deal with yet another Chris Bosh health scare. He has not played since the break for the All-Star game. The Heat is also without injured guards Josh Richardson and Beno Udrih. The shorthanded Heat lost Saturday to Boston 101-89.
New York won for just the third time in its past 16 games on Friday. The Knicks beat Orlando 108-95 Friday, but on Saturday at practice, the reams three top scorers all sat out due to injuries.
Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Arron Afflalo all sat out on Saturday due to lingering injuries, but each is expected to play on Sunday evening.
A number of teams had interest in signing Johnson after the veteran was waived this week by Brooklyn. However, he chose the Heat on Saturday after he cleared waivers.
Heat veteran Dwayne Wade said Johnson was a friend of his and Wade tried to convince Johnson that playing in Miami was a good choice.
On Friday, Anthony scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out 6 assists. This season he leads New York in each of those three categories.
Heat point guard Goran Dragic is averaging just less than 20 points per game since returning from the All-Star break.
New York point guard Jose Calderon has averaged 17 points per game over the past two games.
Miami won two of the first three games this season head to head with New York. That included a win on November 27 in MSG by the score of 97-78.
Miami has covered the number in 8 of the past 9 games versus the Knicks.
Prediction: The Heat come in banged up and the Knicks are no any better. Take the Knicks at home.
