Game Preview: Knicks at Heat, 2/9/2021

After hanging with the Heat for most of the game on Sunday, the Knicks head down to Miami seeking revenge. Shortly after the loss, New York executed a trade to bring Derrick Rose back into the fold. It looks like there is a chance he’ll play, as has long been the case, Dennis Smith Jr. is holding up someone’s progress.

I’m kidding! In all seriousness (I haven’t tried, but) I assume it’s hard to just hop a flight on a whim these days. Maybe Dennis found on twitter like the rest of us. Whatever the case may be, Rose is with the team and will be suiting up sooner or later. As for Dennis, the Knicks gave him a great send off. Thank you, Dennis Smith Jr.

Thank you very much Dennis Smith Jr. Yea thanks a gajllion, Mr. Dennis Smith Jr. Thank you for that, my one true friend, Dennis Smith Jr. And with that. Goodbye Denny Smitty June you meant so much to the... Thank you Dennis Smith Jr.

Photo by Terrence Vaccaro/NBAE via Getty Images

Projected Starters

No reason to feel like things will change up. For the Heat too as Goran Dragic remains out.

Elfrid Payton v Kendrick Nunn

Reggie Bullock v Duncan Robinson

RJ Barrett v Jimmy Butler

Julius Randle v Kelly Olynyk

Mitchell Robinson v Bam Audoboddo (ha-haa)

Even if Rose gets cleared at the last minute. Which sounds like it is still possible. In all likelihood Tom Thibodeau is going to stick with what’s not broken regardless.

Once Rose starts getting minutes, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t eat away at Austin Rivers and Elfrid Payton’s food first. Thibs might not be bringing Immanuel Quickley along as rapidly as we may like but we have seen IQ get a shot when different moments and opportunities arise. Somewhat surprisingly he closed out the game on Sunday.

Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images

Keys & Predictions

The Heat are a formidable foe. They can stretch their defense way up the floor and they just have a knack for making all the gut punch jumpers. It will be interesting to see what Thibs has cooked up to respond to Sunday’s loss and whether the Knicks can force the door open and blast their way to the safe. Will Jimmy Butler and crew let it get that close again?

Don’t let them have a say. Grab and claw and push and throttle these Miami anti-maskers.

Knicks by -11

Parting Shot

Always a Knick. My all time fav, Anthony Mason. When he left New York, I started rooting for players over franchises. It was hard at times. Never dug the Hornets and the Heat were big time jerks. I mean just monstrous assholes. Mase was my guy just the same. The only time I’ve ever been proud of something I wrote, it was commemorating the late, great.