HHH GameTime Preview: Knicks Visit Miami

Tonight at 8PM EST, the Heat will host the New York Knicks, at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. This is the final of three games this season between the two. The Knicks defeated the Heat in Miami, 114-103 on December 6th, and the Heat returned the favor in New York City, 105-88 on Wednesday night.

In that contest, Miami was led by Goran Dragic, who scored 20 points with nine assists and seven boards. James Johnson scored 18 off the bench, with seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots, Josh Richardson scored 17 on seven-of-12 shooting, and Tyler Johnson scored a dozen with seven rebounds. Hassan Whiteside scored 11 with nine off the glass and four rejections.

Our guys understand what's at hand and I want our guys to embrace this challenge and enjoy it. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra

The Knicks were led by 20 from Kristaps Porzingis, who also had eight rebounds and three blocks. Willy Hernangomez scored 12 with nine boards, and Courtney Lee scored 10 points.

I thought we would be somewhere in the playoff race. Six, seven, eight seed. Right there, but things didn't go as we wanted. - Porzingis

GameTime: 8PM EST, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Florida

All-Time Heat-to-Head: Miami is 53-61 against the Knicks all-time. Their .465 winning percentage is their 10th worst from amongst all NBA teams.

numberFire.com says: Miami has a 76.8% probability of winning the game, with a projected Five Stars of Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose. I’m sure the Brothers Johnson will have something to add to that mix.

Standings

Miami Heat: 37-38, .493, on pace for 41-41 record. Third in the Southeast Division, nine games behind the division leading Washington Wizards. Tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with the Indiana Pacers, 11 games behind the Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Tied for 14th in the NBA. Playoff Odds: 80.7%. Last Five: W-W-L-L-W.

New York Knicks: 28-47, .373, on pace for a 30-52 record. Fourth in the Atlantic Division, 20 games behind the Celtics. Tied for 13th in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers, 20 games behind the Cavaliers. Tied for 25th in the NBA. Playoff Odds: 0.0%. Last Five: L-L-L-W-L.

Probable Starters (according to Rotowire.com):

Heat:
PG - Goran Dragic
SG - Rodney McGruder
SF - Josh Richardson
PF - Luke Babbitt
C - Hassan Whiteside

Knicks:
PG - Derrick Rose (GTD)
SG - Courtney Lee
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Kristaps Porzingis
C - Willy Hernangomez