The New York Knicks (2-0) and Miami Heat (1-1) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. EDT from Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. The game will broadcast live on MSG.
The Knicks are favored by -2.5 on the spread, with the over/under set at 229.5 total points. The Knicks are -150 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Heat are +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Knicks vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, October 26.
My Knicks vs Heat Prediction
- Knicks vs Heat picks: Jovic O9.5 Pts/ Adebayo U9.5 Reb / Brunson O32.5 PA
My Knicks vs Heat best bet is a parlay, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Knicks vs Heat Odds
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 229.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 229.5 -110o / -110u | +125 |
Knicks vs Heat NBA Preview
24 of the 30 NBA teams have played two games this season, and already, there are only six league-wide teams that are undefeated. The Knicks, 2-0, are one of them. The only team better than 2-0 so far are the reigning and defending champion OKC Thunder.
The Knicks had a little adversity but ultimately coasted to victory against a pair of shorthanded East rivals in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
The Knicks and Heat are also two of seven NBA teams who open the year 2-0 against the spread — Miami nearly upset the Magic in Orlando to start the season, covering the +8.5 number but losing by four down the stretch; then they took out their frustrations for one hell of a bounce-back effort in Memphis, putting up a franchise record 86 points in the first half before winning 146-114 against the Grizzlies.
For the Heat home opener, they'll remain without former All-Star Tyler Herro (foot) and 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis (groin).
The Knicks will still be missing Mitchell Robinson (ankle, apparently), and also on the injury report, we have Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) and Deuce McBride (personal) questionable, with Josh Hart (back) probable.
Knicks vs Heat Prediction, Betting Analysis
Here, I like three plays.
Nikola Jovic over 9.5 against the Knicks is the first — He started game one against Orlando and scored nine in the first half, but didn't score again. Last game, he looked like the future high-end complementary role player worthy of his extension, putting up a 20-6-4 line in 27 minutes off the bench in place of Kel'el Ware in a match-up alteration from Spo.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Spo will ride him as long as he's effective. The Heat doesn't seem to be jerking around his actual on-court role anymore. He's on the ball, he's adding versatility, and he's looking to score… mostly. He should start with Robinson out and Karl-Anthony Towns being the only big, but I don't care if he comes off the bench.
Second, Bam Adebayo under 9.5 rebounds — Against KAT, he consistently scores in the high teens, with a recent 30-point outing from March. On the glass, even without Mitchell Robinson, I like this play. He hasn't gotten 10 or more boards against the Knicks since January 2024 — the game Julius Randle left with a season-ending shoulder dislocation.
Adebayo has been under 9.5 in four straight. He had 12 boards in Orlando and just five in Memphis.
Also, I'll tail Joe Dellera on Jalen Brunson over 32.5 points + assists. If KAT is out, this will be a necessity, but if he's there, I still like it.
Brunson is still shooting about 20 times per game and under 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep. I don't think Miami will defend him poorly, but Brunson can get here on volume and we should see some positive regression in shooting percentages and assists, where he's only at five in each of the first two despite projections that he could average closer to 8.
Picks: Nikola Jovic over 9.5 points / Bam Adebayo Under 9.5 Rebounds / Jalen Brunson Over 32.5 Points+Assists
Heat vs Knicks Betting Trends
