Miami Heat at New York Knicks on Thursday, January 14 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Knicks about a 87% chance, and the Heat would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 87%, with a projected score of Miami Heat 107, New York Knicks 119. The rating gap is 224 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Knicks on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 8 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Heat are 0-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +1.2. The Knicks are 0-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.8.
The Heat's best recent win was 143-117 at home against ATL.
The Heat were beaten 131-106 at home by MIN not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Day to day or questionable: Pelle Larsson (MIA). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Knicks lead 5-2, with the Knicks outscoring the Heat by an average of 5.6 points per game. The last meeting was MIA 125, NYK 132.