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With the series on the line, the Knicks best hope of returning to the Garden tied two games a piece rests squarely on the shoulders of Jalen Brunson. Much like what Kevin Durant has provided the Suns, Brunson must do the same. This is a player who was brought here to put the team in a position to win these types of high pressure games. The Heat are -4.5 tonight and Jimmy Butler will be chomping at the bit to in effect end the series this evening. Honestly, -4.5 is giving the Knicks too much credit. Only a career night from Brunson will give the Knicks a shot in Game 4. New York has proved they cannot shoot the 3 effectively to compete in these playoffs and their ability to score inside has been crippled by Eric Spoelstra’s defensive approach to guarding the likes of Brunson. There has been a lot of chatter recently that Spoelstra may go down as one of the great coaches in NBA history when he finally decides to hang it up. This series along with the five game series against 1 seed Milwaukee is reminding us all why.

Since I have very little to lose by doing so, I’m picking the Knicks to Win outright. The local news media around the New York City area is waiting to run their disappointment yet again for the Knicks headlines so I’m going to put a bit of faith in the best player the Knicks have had since Carmelo Anthony and give Brunson 30 points. It is hard to have any faith in Julius Randle but let’s give him 20 points and 6 rebounds because why not? If you’re picking the Knicks to win you are bold so might as well give Obi Toppin 10 points on top with the absence of Immanuel Quickley due to injury. Give Josh Hart 4 assists and let’s stop it there. Betting these props doesn’t mean you have to risk it all on a Knicks W. Just bet ‘em separately or with the Heat winning on top. Some may call this a bit of a wishy washy take so I’ll say it clear: the Knicks find a way to win tonight. And if they don’t, it was fun while it lasted. The last thing I want to do is start writing up baseball takes because the Yankees and the Mets are in baaad shape. So please, for all New York sports fans, let the Knicks catch a break tonight.