basketball | Tuesday, May 2, 2023 12:56 PM (Revised at: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 1:06 PM)

New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Bet Builder: 1.91 Tuesday Night Wager

Sam Cox

New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Best Bet: Tuesday, May 2nd

The Miami Heat overcame a gruesome-looking ankle injury to Jimmy Butler to claim a massive Game One win. Butler’s availability is in question for Game Two on Tuesday night, however, and Miami is underdogs by several points. New York is still sweating on the health of Julius Randle, who is dealing with his own ankle ailment.

Both teams won as lower seeds in the first round. Butler delivered a performance for the ages as the Heat toppled the one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The size and intensity of the Knicks saw them see off the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. This is an old rivalry reignited, and a series which will be played much more like 1990s basketball.

Game One was physical, and turgid at times. Look for Game Two to follow a similar pattern with the famed Heat Culture meeting Tom Thibodeau’s hustling Knicks.

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New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Preview
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Best Bet

New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Preview

Wed, May 03. 00:30 (UK time)

Mitchell Robinson was a huge part of the Knicks’ success in round one, dominating the offensive boards to earn a sluggish Knicks offence some crucial extra possessions. He had 14 boards in Game One, five of which were on the offensive end.

Miami is often running undersized lineups with Caleb Martin getting a decent portion of minutes at the four. With Bam Adebayo frequently switched onto the perimeter or forced away from the basket, Robinson should be able to hoover up a few more offensive rebounds on Tuesday night.

Robinson’s overall rebounds line is set at 11.5, which could have value. He went under that in the first three games against Cleveland, however, so we are going for the milestone market and Robinson to have 7+ boards. It is three consecutive games with double figures and he has gone under this number just once in the postseason.

Another big man attracts our interest here, too. Adebayo has a massive role to play. There is a decent chance Butler doesn’t play. If he does, he will surely be limited, meaning a lower usage rate and a bigger burden for Adebayo to carry offensively.

His scoring has deserted him at times, but Adebayo has scored 15 or more in his last three and five of six postseason contests. Sure, the Knicks are capable of packing the paint and Robinson is an excellent rim protector, but this number is very achievable with Adebayo likely to get into the high-teens in shot attempts.

New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Best Bet

To wrap this one up, we’re taking the Knicks moneyline. The spread is going to be tempting with a ferocious Madison Square Garden crowd and the Knicks almost in must-win territory before the series heads to Florida. For the purposes of a bet builder, though, the moneyline is the safer call.

Miami’s margin for error is minute even with Butler playing at an all-time level. With him out or hobbled, they are going to struggle.