Tip-off: Monday, 7:35 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -5

The Knicks will be going for their fifth straight victory when they head to Miami and take on the Heat Monday night.

New York has caught fire recently, winning four straight games and covering in its past seven as well. The Knicks have not only been winning, but they have been doing so on the road. The team has come away with road victories at Oklahoma City and Houston in its past two games respectively. Miami, however, has also been playing well as of late. The Heat have won two straight games and five of their past six despite failing to cover in their past four contests. 10 of Miami’s past 11 games have gone Under the total, and that is something to look into heading into this one. The Heat have dominated this series in recent years, going 6-1 SU and ATS when facing the Knicks over the past three seasons and 3-0 SU and ATS when playing as the host in that time. Bettors backing New York in this game will point to the fact that the Knicks are an absurd 7-0 ATS as a road underdog this season. The team is also facing a Miami team that is 1-12 ATS after having won three of its past four games over the past two years. The Knicks are, however, 0-9 ATS after successfully covering the spread in seven or more consecutive games since 1996. Both teams will be entering this game at close to full strength, though.

The Knicks have been extremely hot lately and PF Kristaps Porzingis (13.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG) is quickly emerging as one of the top candidates for Rookie of the Year. The forward was absolutely amazing in New York’s victory in Houston, finishing with 24 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks in 36 minutes of play. He is now averaging 16.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.0 BPG over the past five contests and will need to use his length to hold his own in a matchup with Chris Bosh on Monday. With Porzingis’ emergence, SF Carmelo Anthony (22.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.3 APG) has had a lot less pressure to deal with. Anthony was in foul trouble against the Rockets, scoring just 14 points in 25 minutes of action. If the same thing had happened a year ago, it would be extremely unlikely that the Knicks came away with a victory but the supporting cast is much improved. SG Arron Afflalo (12.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG) will be an x-factor in Monday’s game, as he’ll need to go toe-to-toe with Dwyane Wade. Afflalo did not back down from his matchup with James Harden, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes of play. A similar performance would put the Knicks in great shape in this one.

The Heat have won two straight games and five of their past six and C Hassan Whiteside (14.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.8 BPG) is a huge reason for that. Over the past five contests, Whiteside is averaging 15.0 PPG, 11.4 RPG and an unreal 6.0 BPG. He has been protecting the rim and will need to continue to be a reliable defensive presence moving forward. SG Dwyane Wade (18.6 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.3 SPG) has looked as good as ever for Miami over the past two games, averaging 25.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2.5 SPG in those contests. Wade has played over 30 minutes in three straight contests and will likely do the same against the Knicks on Monday. PF Chris Bosh (18.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG) is the guy that will be matched up with Porzingis for Miami. Bosh is averaging 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 1.8 BPG over the past five contests and really looks like himself again after a rough 2014-2015 year. He will need to play well on both sides of the floor against the Knicks forward, as he is one of the hottest players in the league and the Heat can’t afford to be torched by him.