New York Knicks at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 1/5/2018

Friday, January 5, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Friday, January 5, 2018. The opening line for this game has Miami as 5 point favorites.

The Knicks head into this matchup with a mark of 18-20. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.7 as they are averaging 103.3 points per contest while giving up 104.0 per game. The Heat have an overall record of 20-17. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 100.7 points per game and surrendering 102.2, good for a point differential of -1.5.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 20-18-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 17-20-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 16-19-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 13-22-2 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/22/17 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely
01/04/18 F Justise Winslow Knee is "?" Friday vs New York

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis comes into this game averaging 23.8 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Enes Kanter averages 13.4 points per contest in 25 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.3 assists per game and 10 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 60% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside has scored 14.1 points per contest while playing 25.6 minutes per game this season for the Heat. He hauls in 11.8 rebounds per contest and has 0.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Goran Dragic averages 16.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 103.3 points per contest this year, which is 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.76 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 10th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 44.4 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 10th with 15.3 per game. The Knicks allow 104 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.2 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they allow 22.6 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 28th in the NBA with 100.7 points per contest this season. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.51. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 24th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.2 boards per contest and 22nd in assists per game with 21.2. The Heat are 11th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Heat give up 102.2 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 12th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 20.7 dimes allowed per game and 10th with 42.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Heat are 10th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 108, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 17th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. New York is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 3rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 21st in the league. The Heat are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Knicks/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New York +5

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