The Miami Heat begin a very interesting two-game stretch on Wednesday evening.
Gearing up for the first of two consecutive matchups against the teams from New York, the teams also coincidentally directly ahead of them in the Eastern Conference Playoff race, the Miami Heat will have a chance to continue to directly impact their standings in said race.
With the New York Knicks coming off of defeat on Monday night at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, their star power forward, Julius Randle, continued his electric offensive prowess. Going for 52 points through just three periods of the game, Randle would only finish with 57 in the defeat to Minnesota.
However, Randle would still certainly put up quite the number on his own accord. That’s not too much different from what he did in his last contest against the Miami Heat just a few weeks ago, though he would win that one for his team in a slightly less explosive individual showing.
To that point, he would still score a ton of points but more heartbreakingly hit the game-winning shot to rip out the collective souls of Heat supporters everywhere. And for that reason, alone, Randle should certainly be at the top of the Miami Heat’s mind if nothing else.
The Miami Heat have an interesting pair of games on the horizon. With the New York teams heading to Miami, they can directly impact their current standing.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Injury Report
As far as the Miami Heat injury report in this one, it’s a rundown of the usual suspects at this point. Kyle Lowry is listed as questionable with knee soreness but is expected to play.
Caleb Martin would join the injury report later, however, he has played in all games except one while managing that same injury status. Miami Heat, big man and reserve, Cody Zeller, will continue to sit out due to a facial fracture.
There are missing his presence and should hope to have him back more sooner than later.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Prediction
The Miami Heat have had several opportunities to continue to climb in the Eastern Conference standings. Again, dropping contests to these very same Knicks and the other New York team in recent weeks, they let those opportunities slip through their fingers.
The same thing can be said of Saturday’s opportunity against Chicago Bulls. This will be a tough game for the Miami Heat, one where they can lose just as well as they can win.
But you hope they come in as motivated as they should be with a chance to overtake a team and get out of NBA Play-In territory. To be honest though, the Miami Heat might be catching an upset Knicks team at the wrong time.
Miami Heat’s Next Game And Schedule
The Miami Heat will look to get a victory on Wednesday night, before welcoming in the other New York team, the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. The Heat will then have another few days off before gearing up for a mid-week back-to-back set on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Heading to Toronto Tuesday, they’ll head to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday to take on these same Knicks. And hopefully, it’s with the chance to beat them twice in just four games.