Hobbled Jimmy

The legend of Playoff Jimmy continues. After trailing by six heading into the second half of Sunday’s Game 1, the Miami Heat rode a big third quarter to squeak out a win in MSG, outscoring the Knicks 31-20. Unfortunately, Butler would go down with an ankle injury with about five minutes left to play in the fourth quarter - he would end up staying in the game but looked noticeably hampered 👇

Still, the Knicks were not able to take advantage of the situation, opting not to attack Butler on defense. Miami would end up going on a 9-2 run to end the game 💪

Outside of Jimmy’s 24 pt and 11 rebound double-double, a number of Heat players stepped up, as has been the case throughout their last two playoff runs 👇

• Kyle Lowry had maybe his best playoff game as a Heat player, making defensive plays (he recorded a playoff career-high of four blocks) and hitting three shots from deep

• Gabe Vincent also contributed five threes…Miami winning the three-point battle 13 to 7 helped swing the game in their favor

With the status of Jimmy Butler unknown — his availability will be a game-time decision, but even if he’s able to play there will be some physical limitations. Randle and Brunson are both banged up as well, but NYK should take care of business before heading down to South Beach 🏝

Heat vs. Knicks Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Knicks -6.5

• Moneyline: Knicks -270, Heat +220

• O/U: 206.5

The Return of Randle?

If the Knicks managed to defend home court and win Game 1, maybe Julius Randle would have sat an extra game to nurse his ankle injury, but now the pressure is on. He was upgraded to questionable yesterday, which looks like a positive sign for the former All-Star’s return to action 🙏

Jalen Brunson was also listed as questionable for Game 2 — the playoffs are really a war of attrition. The Knicks will need to show they can hit open threes, and I’d expect Miami to continue trapping Brunson (in the event he plays) and force other players to beat them 👀

• Obi Toppin stepped up in Randle’s absence and hit four of the Knicks’ seven threes on Sunday — he will have to continue giving them good production to beat this scrappy Heat team

After the Knicks and Heat duke things out we are getting treated to LeBron vs. Steph round five, which will be an absolutely electric series. Both stars were asked about the series, and both acted very “cool”. I think there’s some nerves…

Don’t take either of these all-time greats for granted, and please chill with all the over analyzing of legacy implications a win or loss will have 🤦🏽‍♂️

Trivia Question: With the Heat, Jimmy Butler has recorded 11 35+ pt games and 8 40+ pt games in 46 playoff games. How does that compare to his regular season performances?

For My Parlay Gurus

The Knicks should be able to bounce back at home — I expect them to hit more than 7 threes tonight, and even if Jimmy plays, he won’t be 100%. Meanwhile, the Lakers with four days of rest should benefit an AD and LeBron led team — even if they don’t steal game one, I like them to cover 👇

• Knicks -6.5 vs. Heat: -110

• Lakers +5 @ Warriors: -114

$100 on this bet would win you $258 — 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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Trivia Answer: Butler has had 10 35+ pt games and 0 40+ pt games in the regular season in 231 regular season games with the Heat. He’s the definition of a playoff riser

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