2 min read • February 25, 2022
Posted in
Court views are now available for select games, check out the injury mismatch for this game at https://sicscore.com/nba/games/miami-heat-vs-new-york-knicks.
Veteran point guard Derrick Rose underwent a minor procedure on his injured ankle and the ProBasketballDocs project he will not return this season.
At 25-34, the Knicks sit in 12th place and are 3 games behind the 10th place Atlanta Hawks.
They also recently shut down point guard Kemba Walker for the season despite being thin at the position.
All of this points to the Knicks putting their focus on next season.
Injury Advantage: Heat
The Miami Heat, on the other hand, have all five starters healthy and are looking for a deep playoff run.
The Heat enter the game with a Sports Injury Central team health score of 91.2, compared to a 75.8 team health score for the Knicks.
Miami's main health advantage comes at the guard spot. Despite 35-year-old Kyle Lowry's advanced age, he has been durable for the Heat. He has played in 46 games this season, averaging 13.3 points and 7.9 assists in 34.3 minutes per game.
Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler dealt with various minor issues earlier in the season and is battling through a right shoulder strain recently, but has been consistent for the heat as well.
He's averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.8 steals in 34.3 minutes per game this season.
Bam Adebayo -- the 24-year-old center out of the University of Kentucky -- missed 22 games with a torn UCL in his left thumb, but returned January 17 and has played well.
While the Heat are healthy at the right time, the Knicks may also be without key role players R.J. Barrett and Nerlens Noel Friday night.
Barrett is questionable with a left ankle sprain and Noel is questionable with a left foot soreness.
The ProBasketballDocs don't expect either to play Friday night.
Despite the injury woes, the Knicks have been solid defensively and rank eighth in opponents points allowed.
They have allowed the sixth most threes in the league this season, potentially opening the door for a big night from Heat sharpshooters Duncan Robinson or Max Strus.
The Heat are favored by 6 points in Madison Square Garden tonight, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Written by
