Using NBA 2K20 to predict the New York Knicks vs the Miami Heat

In order to predict how the Miami Heat game against the New York Knicks will go, we’ll use NBA 2K20’s simulation powers to look into the future.

After defeating the Philadelphia 76ers last time out in our NBA 2K20 prediction series and replicating that final result in real life, thus ending their perfect home streak in real life, the Miami Heat head back home with a full day’s rest under their belt to take on the 14th place New York Knicks.

Sporting a brand new head coach and a 7-21 record this game comes as schedule fodder for the hometown Heat, but there’s a reason why we play the games. The Knicks are currently runners-up for the league-wide laughing-stock title (thanks to the Golden State Warriors), and interim coach Mike Miller will do his best to make sure his team is ready to fight, but it may not be enough.

Before getting started, I double-checked that my settings from the previous game had remained intact. I cut down the Heat rotation to nine players and continued to distribute the minutes to replicate the action each player saw during Monday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Afterward, I headed over to the coaching tab and moved up head coach Erik Spoelstra’s zone tendency from 5 percent to 50 percent.

I also changed Bam Adebayo’s secondary position to power forward to match Meyers Leonard’s starting role. Lastly, I edited Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, and Adebayo’s vitals to allow them to initiate the offense.

Starting lineup

Point guard, Kendrick Nunn

Shooting guard, Duncan Robinson

Small forward, Jimmy Butler

Power forward, Bam Adebayo

Center, Meyers Leonard

Goran Dragic’s status for this game was still in question as of the writing of this piece, so I left him out of the rotation and on the bench. If you missed this interaction between Sun-Sentinel Beat writer Ira Winderman and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, you certainly missed a treat. Enjoy.

Outcome

Behind a career night on the boards from Bam Adebayo, the Heat completely dismantle the Knicks en route to its 21st win on the season. With a final score of 114-74, there really wasn’t much to discuss in this one. Only three Knicks players scored double-digit points, but they were out of this one early once Miami got out to a 36-21 at the end of the first quarter.

If you want to see the simulation for yourself, check out the latest video on my YouTube channel. There I’ll be providing real-time analysis during the simulation as well as showing you the adjustments I made.

NBA 2K20: New York Knicks @ Miami Heat Simcast & Reactions

Unlike the previous game, Miami scored less than ten fast break points, which means the Knicks half-court defense was getting shredded for every single bucket. The Heat got to the paint at will scoring whenever they wanted to the tune of 42 points in the paint. A part of Adebayo’s career rebounding night included 27 boards for the all-star to be.

The Heat didn’t hold the ball long as they lagged in time of possession by almost four minutes, but that didn’t matter. The player that benefited the most from this faster pace was forward Kelly Olynyk. He scored 21 points off the bench but only took 18 minutes to do it. And that’s Miami Heat basketball. You’re not really sure who’s going to fill up the scoring gap, but you know it will be someone.

Player stats

New York Knicks

Julius Randle – 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists

Mitchell Robinson – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks

RJ Barrett – 10 points, 2, assists, 2 steals

Taj Gibson – 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal

Marcus Morris – 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

Miami Heat

Bam Adebayo – 23 points, 27 rebounds (career-high), 2 assists, 2 steals

Jimmy Butler – 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Kelly Olynyk – 21 points (4 threes made), 2 steals

Tyler Herro – 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

Kendrick Nunn – 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Meyers Leonard – 2 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists (team-high)

Yup, The Heat gets a huge in-conference win, and the train just keeps on chugging. Best not to dwell on this one too long as this was a game they were supposed to win. The next test will also come at home when the Utah Jazz minus Mike Conley visit American Airlines Arena on Monday.