On Tuesday night, the New York Knicks must win because they lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at home on Sunday.
The absence of Julius Randle for New York in Game 1 and Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury late in Miami Heat’s victory suggest that injuries may play a significant role in this series.
Heat vs. Knicks prediction and pick
The Knicks felt the absence of Randle in a big way on the glass in Game 1, with Bam Adebayo doing everything he could to keep Robinson from crashing the offensive glass.
That’s been a key part of the Knicks’ offense this postseason since the team has shot the ball very poorly.
New York is 15th out of 16 teams in effective field goal percentage this postseason. Miami has been much better, but if Butler sits, it’s going to be a major blow to the team’s offensive attack.
