The NBA Playoffs continue on Monday night as the New York Knicks take on the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their series. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on TNT. Currently the odds for this game have the Heat as heavy favorites of 10 points and the total is sitting at 184 points.
Free Analysis: The Heat can take a commanding 2-0 lead in this series with a win tonight. They are favored by 10 points in this game, as odds makers know the Knicks are not in a good spot. Some might be surprised to see the Heat as "only" a double digit favorite of 10 points after winning by 33 points in the first game of the series, but that's still a lot of points. Iman Shumpert stepped in for the injured Jeremy Lin but tore up his knee. Now the Knicks will have to figure out who to play at the two-guard position for the game. Knicks veterans Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis and Amare Stoudemire are trying to keep the mood light with their club to not get overwhelmed by falling into an 0-2 hole. Heat star LeBron James led all scorers with 32 points in the first game while all five Knicks starters had just 30. Anthony connected for 3 of 15 shots in the loss. The game definitely turned physical as it got out of hand. James ran into the shoulders of Tyson Chandler twice during picks which saw the Knicks center called for two illegal screens. James has complained about some soreness but is going to play. Chandler on the other hand might not play as he is battling flu-like symptoms. The Heat's win in the first game was the biggest in a postseason opener since San Antonio defeated Sacramento 122-88 in the West Finals back in 2006. "In the playoffs, each game is its own," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "You feel good after the game, but the next day, in playoffs, you have to move on. You can never feel too good about anything. So we've got to come in with the same approach to the game, the same mindset." That's the mark of a great leader. The Heat were actually out-rebounded in the first game, even though each team hoisted up 70 shots. The Knicks finished with 24 turnovers and 26 fouls in that game as well, essentially keeping them out of the contest from the beginning. They'll obviously have to play a lot better in tonight's game, which could be a huge win.
Free Pick: Call me crazy, but I like the Knicks in this game here tonight. They were embarrassed and dominated from the beginning to end in the first game of the series so everyone is expecting them to lay down and lose this game big. Chandler's going to probably play but is still considered a game-time decision for the Knicks. I think they will play a lot better tonight in a game that means a lot to the rest of the series. If the Knicks are able to pull off the impossible and steal a game here, the dynamic of the series completely changes. And even if Chandler doesn't play, how much does that change things? It's not as if the Heat have a dominant force inside there. I think the Knicks show up tonight. Not saying they will win, but the game will be a lot closer than the first on in the series.
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Betting Strategies: Handicapping NBA Playoffs
Host Marco D'Angelo and Pregame Pro Vegas Runner discuss their strategies about betting the NBA Playoffs and being successful.