The two hottest teams in the Eastern Conference collide this Thursday night when the New York Knicks visit the Miami Heat in this week’s NBA spotlight matchup of the week.

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Miami looking unstoppable

The defending Eastern Conference champions were obviously a force last year, but falling short in the NBA Finals seems to have fueled this team to take its game to the next level. Miami entered Monday’s action with the NBA’s best record at 25-7 with a 17-15 mark against the NBA basketball odds. Miami has won six straight both straight up and against the spread.

Opposing teams simply don’t have an answer for Miami’s Big Three. LeBron James (27.9 points per game), Dwyane Wade (22.1 PPG), and Chris Bosh (18.2 PPG) lead the league’s second most potent attack, averaging 103.3 points per game on offense. Miami’s defense has steadily improved as the season has gone on as well; the Heat rank 14th in the NBA allowing 94.2 points per game, but have allowed just 88.8 per game over their last 10.

With their dominant offense and consistency this season, the Heat are currently the odds-on favorite to win it all at Bovada with 8/5 odds to win the championship.

Before Thursday’s showdown against the New York Knicks, Miami will host the struggling Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. The Heat are 13-2 straight up and 8-7 ATS at home while Sacramento is just 3-16 SU and 8-11 ATS on the road.

Linsanity sweeping the nation

With an 8-15 record both straight up and against the NBA basketball odds and stars Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony out of action, the New York Knicks appeared to be on their way to a season in the Eastern Conference’s cellar. But in one of the most remarkable sports stories of the last few years, previously unknown point guard Jeremy Lin has exploded in the starting role for the Knicks and re-invigorated the team and the city.

Lin had averaged an astounding 25 points and 9.2 assists per game since his addition to the starting lineup heading into Monday's action (with the Knicks 8-1 straight up and 7-2 ATS in those contests), possessing the ability to both make clutch shots and spread the ball around to his teammates. In those eight wins, the Knicks picked up impressive victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

All eyes are now on Carmelo Anthony, who has finally returned from injury. Amare Stoudemire has gelled well with Lin, but fans and bettors are wondering how Anthony’s game will fit with Lin’s. If Anthony can fit into the offense as it is currently run, the Knicks could have a legitimate shot to make some serious noise come playoff time. New York is currently 16/1 to win the NBA championship, but that number will likely continue to fall if the Knicks keep winning.
Anthony will have a few games to sync up with Lin before heading to Miami. New York played New Jersey at home on Monday and faces Atlanta at home on Wednesday. 

New York’s true colors will be revealed

Wins over the Lakers and Mavericks were impressive, but both came at home; so far the road tests in the Jeremy Lin era have been very light against Washington, Minnesota, and Toronto. This Thursday, they’ll face the best home team in the Eastern Conference in the Heat (13-2), and arguably the best team in the league.

Will Lin and the Knicks prove that they really do belong in the NBA’s elite, or will they be knocked down a few pegs by the red-hot Heat? Miami won 99-89 at home the last time these two teams met this season, but that was without Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin in the lineup.

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