3* NBA on TNT SMASH

New York vs. Miami, 02/23/2012 19:00 EDT, Score: 88 - 102

Point Spread: -9/-105 Miami

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Win

3* NBA on TNT SMASH on Heat -9
This is a statement game for Miami. Linsanity has taken the focus away from the best team in the East, and I expect LeBron James and company to get everyone's attention with an impressive win this evening.

Miami has defeated Indiana, San Antonio, the LA Lakers, Philadelphia and Orlando by double digits at home and these are all teams I believe to be better than the Knicks.

The Heat defeated the Knicks by 10 points at home last month. That was before Linsanity and Carmelo Anthony didn't play but the Knicks held a 48-point advantage from 3-point range in that game. It will take a similar shooting display for New York to keep this one close and I don't see it happening.

Lin has been a great story but Miami has the horses to cause him major problems. Turnovers have been an issue for him, and Miami turns turnovers into fastbreak points.

The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 vs. the Eastern Conference. Take Miami.