The New York Knicks are riding high after winning their first playoff series in a decade, setting up a second-round matchup with the Miami Heat.
The No. 5 seed Knicks and No. 8 seed Heat will reignite one of the '90s best rivalries, with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
Led by Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Josh Hart, the Knicks advanced past the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. Meanwhile, the Heat took care of business, knocking out the championship favorite Milwaukee Bucks in five games, becoming just the sixth No. 8 seed in NBA history to advance in the NBA playoffs.
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The Heat scraped into the postseason via the Play-In Tournament, defying expectations as they eased past the Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo for Games 2 and 3. Then, Jimmy Butler went nuclear in Game 4, dropping a 56-point masterpiece in the win — the fourth-best scoring performance in NBA playoff history — before overcoming a 16-point deficit to win Game 5 on the road in overtime.
The Knicks have found their groove on both sides of the ball, but it's their suffocating No. 1 ranked defense that has made them one of the trickiest teams in the East. That will set the stage for a gritty seven-game series against the Heat.
Which team will move one step closer to the NBA Finals? The Sporting News previews the Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup between the Knicks and Heat.
Knicks vs. Heat odds
The odds for the Knicks vs. Heat series have yet to be announced, but it is expected that the Knicks will open as slight favorites in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Stay tuned for the full series odds, which will be provided by BetMGM.
| Knicks | Heat | |
| Moneyline | — | — |
Knicks vs. Heat schedule
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| April 30 | Game 1 | 1:00 p.m. at Knicks | ABC |
| May 2 | Game 2 | TBD at Knicks | TNT |
| May 6 | Game 3 | TBD at Heat | ABC |
| May 8 | Game 4 | 7:30 p.m. at Heat | TNT |
| May 10 | Game 5* | TBD at Knicks | TNT |
| May 12 | Game 6* | TBD at Heat | ESPN |
| May 15 | Game 7* | 8:00 p.m. at Knicks | TNT |
*If necessary.
Knicks vs. Heat 2022-23 regular season series
The Knicks had the edge in the regular season, winning three out of four matchups against the Heat.
- Feb. 2, 2022: Knicks 106, Heat 104
- March 3, 2023: Knicks 122, Heat 120
- March 22, 2023: Heat 127, Knicks 120
- March 29, 2023: Knicks 101, Heat 92
In their first matchup of the season in February, the Knicks escaped with a 106-104 win after Tyler Herro's last-second 3-point attempt was off, setting the tone for a tight season series between these teams.
In early March, the Knicks visited Miami riding a seven-game win streak, which saw Julius Randle turn in a 43-point night, capping things off with a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left.
Jimmy Butler responded in the next matchup, pouring in 35 points nine assists, and four steals as the Heat reeled off a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter to secure their lone win over the Knicks this season.
Their final matchup of the season came in late March and was perhaps the Knicks' best showing as Immanuel Quickly scored 24 points and Quentin Grimes 23, steering the ship in the absence of Julius Randle, who exited the game in the second quarter for good with a left ankle sprain.
The Knicks will take plenty of confidence from their 3-1 record this season, but the seasoned Heat will no doubt like their chances in a seven-game series.
MORE: The key stats that prove 'Playoff Jimmy’ is the new ‘Playoff Rondo'
Knicks vs. Heat key storyline: Can 'Playoff Jimmy' deliver again?
The legend of 'Playoff Jimmy' continues to grow as Jimmy Butler took the fight to the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Heat to the second round, 4-1.
Butler's display in the first round was one for the ages, most notably his decisive Game 4 performance that swung momentum completely in the Heat's favor.
His 56-point masterpiece not only put the Heat up 3-1, it's the fourth-highest score in a playoff game in NBA history, but Butler isn't buying the hype.
“It’s not a thing. It’s not. I just be hooping,” he said after Game 4.
He followed that up with a game-tying bucket at the end of regulation in Game 5 to send it to overtime, signing off the first round with a 42-point performance.
JIMMY BUTLER SENDS GAME 5 TO OT 😱
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2023
HE'S GOT 40 PTS. UNBELIEVABLE.
📺: NBA TV pic.twitter.com/x9AGDSlxpC
The question is: Can he do it again?
In four games against the Knicks this season, Butler averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on 49.1 percent shooting, 75 percent from the 3-point line (3-of-4), and 83.8 percent at the free throw line.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau will have his defense focused on neutralizing Butler's threat, with a serviceable cast of wing defenders to take shifts, with the likes of RJ Barrett and Josh Hart likely to take the lion's share of the minutes.
The key to slowing down Butler is guarding him without fouling and keeping him off the free-throw line. No player in the 2023 postseason has attempted more free throws than Butler's 9.8 per game.
Easier said than done.
Playoff Jimmy is here.
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Knicks vs. Heat predictions
Kyle Irving: Knicks in six games
Gilbert McGregor: Knicks in six games
Steph Noh: Knicks in six games
Reo Onishi: Knicks in seven games
Benyam Kidane: Heat in six games
Carlan Gay: Heat in six games
Micah Adams: Heat in seven games
