Eastern Conference semifinals (Best-of-7 series)
Heat vs. Knicks: Game 1 Sunday at New York, Madison Square Garden, 1 p.m., ABC
Latest line: Knicks favored by 4 points in Game 1
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist: Heat in 6
After what the Heat did to top-seed Milwaukee, I’m not picking against them. The Knicks’ Julius Randle isn’t fully healthy. Bam Adebayo won’t have a big body to neutralize him. If the Heat can beat Milwaukee in 5, I’ll take the Heat to close out the series on their homecourt in Game 6 and prevent a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. How can you possibly pick against Jimmy Butler?
Ira Winderman, Heat Writer: Heat in 7
Even without Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo at the finish, the Heat were able to knock off the No. 1-seed Bucks in five games. So doubt Jimmy Butler at your own risk against the No. 5 seed. Lack of bodies? Lack of homecourt advantage? Just more adversity for Erik Spoelstra to turn into the latest rallying cry. From play-in this time to conference finals for the third time in four years? Heck, why not?
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor: Heat in 7
Jimmy Butler single-handedly carried the Heat to a stunning upset over the top-seeded Bucks in the opening round. Expect the same against the rival Knicks. Butler averaged 37.6 points in the five-game series, while shooting an impressive 60 percent. Butler — not known for his 3-point shooting — also made 12 3-pointers on 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc against Milwaukee. He would like nothing more than to silence the Madison Square Garden crowd in Game 1.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: Knicks in 7
The Knicks won the season series against the Heat, 3-1. New York’s athleticism could pose problems for Miami, which surprisingly dismantled top-seed Milwaukee after barely surviving the play-in tournament. All-Star Julius Randle averaged 21 points against the Heat, including draining a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in Miami. Randle, however, could be limited after reaggravating his sprained ankle in Wednesday night’s clinching win against Cleveland. Look for Jalen Brunson to continue to carry the Knicks, who will have home-court advantage for the first time in a playoff matchup against Miami.
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