Game 5 of this series will shift back to Miami on Tuesday as the New York Knicks try and stave off elimination vs the Miami Heat. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 pm start time and it will be televised live on TNT. Currently the odds have Miami favored by 11 points with the total sitting at 183 points for the contest. 

Free Analysis: With their 11-year NBA playoff game win drought finally over, the Knicks try to send their first-round series back home with a win tonight in Miami. Carmelo Anthony led his team back from a pair of double-digit deficits in Game 4 to put the series into a Game 5. Anthony is putting up big numbers with 26.0 PPG and 8.3 RPG in the series, coming off his best game by far on Sunday: 41 points (15-of-29 FG), six rebounds, four assists and one turnover. But he’s still shooting just 39.8% FG on 2-of-13 threes for the series. PF Amar’e Stoudemire has been the butt of many jokes after his glass-punching injury cost him Game 3, but he’s had two straight strong performances with 19.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG since a meager nine points and five rebounds in Game 1. SG J.R. Smith shot much better in Miami (15.0 PPG, 46% FG, 4-of-11 threes) than he did at home (9.5 PPG, 24% FG, 1-of-13 threes) this series, so he might not mind the shift in venues. The injury bug bit the Knicks again with PG Baron Davis suffering a horrific knee injury that will keep him out at least 12 months. New York also will not have starting PG Jeremy Lin, who had been a possibility to return from his knee injury, which leaves floor-general duties to Mike Bibby, who hit a huge three-pointer to break a tie with 1:23 remaining on Monday.  Bibby is scoring just 4.3 PPG with 1.8 APG in his 20.5 MPG in the playoffs, but has made 5-of-10 threes over the past three games. C Tyson Chandler continues to underwhelm on the offensive end with just 6.0 PPG in the series, but he has pulled down 10.3 RPG in the past three contests. The Miami Heat have been among the favorites all season long to win the title, and rightfully so as looking up and down the Heat roster Miami has elite talent. The Heat are among the best in the league on both ends of the court as Miami is scoring an average of 98.5 points per game, while giving up just 92.5 points per game on average. SF LeBron James is having a huge series with 27.5 PPG (49% FG), 5.8 RPG and 5.3 APG. But after committing just four turnovers in two home games, he has made 13 miscues in the past two contests. SG Dwyane Wade has 21.5 PPG on 55% FG for the series, but he made just 4-of-11 free throws in Sunday’s loss. His defense was sparkling though, with four steals and three blocks. PF Chris Bosh has seen his points fluctuate from 9 to 21 to 9 to 17, but he’s made a better effort on the glass with 9.5 RPG over the past two contests. PG Mario Chalmers shot a dreadful 2-for-10 FG on Sunday, but has still played well in this series with 12.3 PPG (40% threes) and 4.8 APG in his 36.0 MPG. He posted 15 assists and just four turnovers in the two home games this series. The Heat are 22-3 in their past 25 home games, and have beaten the Knicks in eight of the past nine home meetings. The total has gone under in nine of the last ten games for the Heat. The total has also gone under for Miami in six of their last seven home games. The Knicks have also gone under the total in four of their last five games.

Free Pick: I like the UNDER in this one. When people think of the heat they thing offense, but this team can "D" it up as well. The Heat come in allowing just 91.8 ppg on the year and 89.5 ppg at home, while in the 4 games in this series they have allowed just 80 ppg. The Knicks played much better defense once Woodson took over, allowing around 92 ppg for him, compared to around 97 ppg before he took over. The Knicks know that the only way to keep this series going is by playing defense like they did in New York, where they allowed the Heat just 87 ppg. This should be another low scoring defensive battle that looks like will go the way of the Heat, but the Knicks will still have to rely on their defense, especially with Davis out, if they hope to move on. another game in the 170's here. 

$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!

Free Picks: New York Knicks at Miami Heat - Game 5 Betting
What NBA bettors need to know about Knicks vs. Heat Game 5 - Including a free best bet from Pregame.com's Stephen Nover with host Marco D'Angelo.