Knicks vs. Heat prediction and odds for Game 3 (Value on total)

The Heat and Knicks play Game 3 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday afternoon with the series tied at one game a piece.

After Jimmy Butler sat out of Game 2 and the Knicks rallied in the fourth quarter, the series changes locations for an important Game 3. Miami is a small home favorite as the first two games were hotly contested, but will Butler be healthy enough to play and make an impact?

Here’s the latest on Butler’s ankle injury and our best bet for Game 3:

Knicks vs. Heat odds, spread and total

Knicks vs. Heat prediction and pick

Butler appeared on track to play in Game 2, but the team opted to hold him out, giving him five full days of rest on his injured ankle, suffered in the fourth quarter of Game 1. We don’t have any further updates since Game 2, but there was reportedly no imaging done after Game 1.

Assuming Butler is in, I like the over as my favorite bet in this game.

Miami had to adjust to no Butler, and opted to try and out shoot the Knicks from three, hoisting 49 shots from beyond the arc. It nearly worked, as the team held a fourth quarter lead, but I expect the Heat to have a more diverse offensive attack with Butler on the floor, but that doesn’t mean the team will stop shooting from deep.

The Game 1 shot profile was similar for Miami, taking 39 three’s, and with the attention Butler is set to get, I believe they’ll get cleaner looks from deep and able to clear 100 points once again.

With that being said, New York is going to need to hope it can stay hot from the perimeter as well. The team took 40 three’s in the win on Tuesday night, shooting 40% from distance. The return of Julius Randle from his own ankle injury was a massive lift to the offense, he poured in 25 points in 37 minutes and also dished out nine assists.

This total is being lined like it’s a rock fight, but both teams take too many three’s to not go over the total.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.