Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Game 3 NBA Playoff Odds

Without a doubt the most unlikely second round playoff matchup of this NBA postseason, the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat have been putting on a show through two exciting games. As we head into Game 3 on Saturday, May 6th in Miami, the series is tied at one apiece after New York pulled out the 111-105 win on Tuesday evening. NBA betting sites are expecting the Heat to punch back as the moneyline favorites for this important Game 3 showdown.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks NBA Odds - May 6th, 3:30PM EST

The Heat won Game 1 with Jimmy Butler and put up a very impressive performance in Game 2 without their main man, which definitely gave the Heat a little more belief. After coming in as the big time favorite in Games 1 and 2, the Knicks now find themselves as dogs coming into Game 3. All odds provided by Betway.

Miami Heat Odds Analysis

With Jimmy Butler out for Game 2, nobody was giving the supporting cast in Miami much of a chance. They came into the game as 10-point underdogs, but they were right there for the entirety of the game, never allowing the Knicks to build a lead larger than eight points.

Guards Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin stepped up big time, combining for 43 points on the night, including a combined 8-for-20 mark from long range. With Erik Spoelstra stalking the sidelines, the Heat are always going to have a shot no matter who they trot out there.

That performance, while made in a losing effort, should hearten everybody on the Heat roster. Butler strapped them to a baby bjorn and carried them through round 1, but here the supporting cast proved that the Knicks have to show them some respect even when Butler returns.

There are few players that can up their game in crunch time quite like Butler can. When he wants to, it seems like all he needs to do is flip a switch, and in the playoffs, he’s left the switch on. When the Knicks were hitting free throws to seal the deal in Game 2 Butler could be seen on the sideline nodding with a wry smile.

It was almost as if he was saying “okay, you guys got this one, but just wait until I’m back.” Butler is a game-time decision for Game 3, but considering the importance of this one for the Heat in terms of holding onto home court advantage, it would be surprising if he didn’t play.

The Heat are very well-coached, solid on the defensive end, and they’ve got a ton of athleticism that is proving effective defensively. If Butler stays healthy and they can get a little more out of Bam Adebayo moving forward, the Heat should remain in the driver’s seat in this series.

New York Knicks Odds Analysis

The Knicks were shockingly trailing the Butler-less Heat for most of Game 2, but they were able to get themselves together and go on a 7-0 run in the closing minutes to avoid the dreaded 2-0 hole before heading on the road for the next two games.

Jalen Brunson, who has been one of the most reliable performers so far in these playoffs, scored just one basket in the first half, but he did his best Butler impression in the second half, going 9-for-13 for 23 points to propel his team to victory.

Unless the Heat throw Butler on him, Miami doesn’t really have anyone equipped to stay with Brunson on the offensive end. Julius Randle was playing fearless in Game 2 as well, pouring in 25 points after missing Game 1 with an injury.

RJ Barrett and Josh Hart were both key contributors in Game 2 as well, combining for 38 points while playing solid defense. Barrett needs to continue to be aggressive, however, as he scored just eight points in the final three quarters of that game after a 16 point first quarter.

Barrett’s 5 triples aren’t something that New York should be hanging their hat on, however. It will be interesting to see if Immanuel Quickley will be out there a little bit more moving forward, because the backup point guard can really score in bunches if the Knicks are ever in an offensive rut.

The Knicks have more all-around quality in their rotation, but the Heat have the best player and the best coach in the series, which means it’s always dicey to bet against them. It feels like Game 3 could be another Jimmy game, but we’re expecting this series to be tied up again at 2-2 by the time we get to Game 5.