Primetime at the Garden

Tonight's matchup features two squads that are battling for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but have crafted very different narratives this season. The Heat entered the year positioned as one of the top contenders in the conference — they did, after all, finish as the No. 1 seed last season, and were mere inches away from a Finals berth. Remember this? 👇

• That front-rimmed transition three has to haunt Butler, especially after the Heat spent the first couple months of this season looking like a vastly diminished squad

• While title contention still seems like a lofty aspiration, Miami has found a rhythm in the new year behind Butler's steady leadership, Bam Adebayo's two way brilliance and a plethora of un-drafted role players...the Heat way 💪

The Knicks, on the other hand, entered this year without much cause for hope. New York basketball has been a disappointment for the vast majority of the past twenty years, so why should 2023 be any different? The answer is free agent acquisition Jalen Brunson, who has transformed the team into a playoff squad and revitalized the much-maligned Julius Randle in the process 🗽

One of them should be an All-Star, who do you think?

Heat vs. Knicks Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Heat -1.5

• Moneyline: Heat -118 (bet $118, win $100), Knicks +100 (bet $100, win $100)

• Over/Under: 213

• When: 7:30PM EST on MSG

The Importance of Leadership

One thing has been clear throughout Jalen Brunson's collegiate and professional career: he's a born winner. While that term is likely the biggest cliché in sports, certain players bring an innate veteran savvy and competitive fire that seems to precipitate winning no matter the circumstances. His three year stint at Villanova was bookended by two national titles, and he's already bringing that championship mentality to a squad that hasn't won since (sigh) 1973 🏆

• Brunson commandeering the offense has allowed Randle to fit in nicely, as the forward is averaging a career high 24.7 PPG, while dramatically increasingly his efficiency from last year

• The Knicks have found solid role players to fill in the gaps, like 3-and-D wing Quentin Grimes and constant lob threat Mitchell Robinson (even though he's hurt...again)

• RJ Barrett still remains a question-mark, the third-year is having his best statistical season, but it's still unclear if his lucrative extension will live up to the hype 😬

While merely being in the playoff picture feels like a success for the Knicks, the expectations are higher in South Beach. The Heat have performed impressively as of late — they've rattled off a 7-3 stretch in their last ten games, including wins over conference contenders like the Celtics and Cavs. Butler is the squad's leader and the biggest name in Miami, but the true catalyst to Miami's resurgence has been Bam Adebayo 👇

• The young big man is deserving of an All-Star spot for his unique skill set and steady production. He's putting up a career high in scoring (21.4 PPG) while emerging as one of the heavyweight contenders for Defensive Player of the Year

• Bam is playing with a determination that gives Miami a legitimate second star for their playoff run ⭐️

With only two games separating New York and Miami from that important sixth spot, tonight's game is huge if the Knicks want to close the gap. This one should be fun 📺

For My Parlay Gurus

I think Miami takes this one, largely due to another defensive masterclass from Bam. He has the unique ability to guard Randle in the post then switch out onto the perimeter and lock down an elite guard like Brunson. Look for the Heat to continue their hot streak as the big man furthers his DPOY case 🔒

• Heat -1.5 @ Knicks: -108

• Mavs -4.5 vs. Pelicans: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $268 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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