Miami Heat at New York Knicks Picks and Prediction for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Sunday, the Miami Heat (15-13, 2nd Southeast) take to the road to play the New York Knicks (19-8, 1st Atlantic) in an Eastern Conference clash. Miami lost to the Boston Celtics 129-116 on Friday night, and the Heat have dropped six of the last seven. The Heat have dropped to second in the Southeast, a half-game behind first-place Orlando. New York lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 116-107 on Friday night, snapping a seven-game winning streak by the Knicks. New York is first in the Atlantic division, 2.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors. Make sure to read this in-depth Miami Heat vs New York Knicks prediction. Shoot for success! Check out our free NBA picks for the Miami Heat at New York Knicks prediction and win today.
Miami is strong with the ball, but it needs to improve its defense
The Miami Heat score an average of 120.1 points (5th) per game on 47.3% (13th) shooting overall and 36.6% (7th) from 3-point territory. Miami is a disappointing 21st in free-throw shooting percentage at 78.2%. Miami's defense allows an average of 117.3 points (19th) per game, but holds opponents to 44.8% (3rd) shooting overall and 33.8% (3rd) from 3-point territory.
Norman Powell is the leading scorer for Miami, averaging 24.4 points per game, and Tyler Herro (questionable) is second, averaging 23.2 points per game. The Heat grab an average of 45.6 rebounds per game, led by Kel’el Ware, averaging 10.3 boards per contest, and Ware is also the rim protector, averaging 1.4 blocked shots per game. Davion Mitchell (questionable) is the dish leader, averaging 7.7 assists per game, while Dru Smith is the leader in steals at 1.5 per game. Miami averages 28.9 assists and 13.8 turnovers per game for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1.
Injuries: Miami will play without Pelle Larsson, Nikola Jovic, and Terry Rozier, while Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, and Davion Mitchell are questionable.
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New York is one of the best at both ends of the court
The New York Knicks score an average of 120.2 points (4th) per game on 47.9% (11th) shooting overall and 37.5% (5th) from 3-point territory. Miami has the 15th-best free-throw shooting percentage at 79.0%. The Heat allow an average of 112.4 points (4th) per game, holding opponents to 46.0% (7th) shooting overall and 36.3% (16th) from three-point territory.
Jalen Brunson leads New York in scoring, averaging 28.7 points per game, and Karl-Anthony Towns is second, averaging 22.4 points per game. New York grabs an average of 45.9 rebounds per game, led by Towns with an average of 11.9 boards per contest. Brunson is the dish leader, averaging 6.4 assists per game, and OG Anunoby is the leader in steals at 1.9 per game. Miles Bridges is the rim protector at 1.1 blocked shots per game, but is out injured. New York averages 27.1 assists and 12.7 turnovers per game for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1.
Injuries: New York will play without Miles McBride and Landry Shamet.
Miami Heat at New York Knicks Pick
Spread Pick for Miami Heat at New York Knicks
- New York Knicks (5 units)
The Miami Heat are 5th in scoring, but drop to 19th in points allowed, while New York is 4th in both scoring and points allowed. New York is allowing an average of nearly five points less per game than Miami, as the Knicks allow 112.4 points per game, and Miami is allowing 117.3 points per game. Miami's second leading scorer, Tyler Herro (23.2 ppg), is listed as questionable and has played just six games thus far, and the Heat’s fourth leading scorer, Andrew Wiggins (16.3 ppg), is also questionable. Miami has covered the spread in just one of its last five games. New York has covered the spread in 10 of its last 13 games, and the Knicks have performed well at home, covering the spread in 15 of their last 17 at Madison Square Garden. New York will use a blend of strong offense with its inside-out game on offense, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, while on defense will force the Heat into shots that are well contested with very few open looks.
Over/Under Pick for Miami Heat at New York Knicks
- Under (4 units)
The total has finished under in six of Miami's last seven and in four of Miami's last five played at home. Both teams are scoring well, but New York has the fourth-best defense in points allowed, and although Miami is giving up more points than New York, the Heat hold opponents to the third-lowest field goal shooting percentage and three-point shooting percentage.
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