Knicks Struggle, Heat Betting Risks & Early-Season Slumps

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Championship Contenders Deserve Early Leeway, but Miami Remains a Risky Bet

The Knicks did not win yesterday, despite having an opportunity to do so. They have had a couple of games they should have won but have been unable to finish the job.

Still, teams coming off a championship deserve some leeway during the first month of the following season. That applies across sports. They played more than everyone else, and even the runner-up had an extended season. It is difficult to immediately pick up where a team left off six months earlier.

The Dodgers showed how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles, while winning three in a row would be even harder. In an 82-game or 162-game season, there is enough time to be patient with teams that start slowly.

Miami’s situation is unusual because the Heat typically start well before fading. This time, they are working Giannis into the offense while also figuring out how to play defense.

Anyone who believes Miami will cover an 8.5-point spread against Dallas can make that bet, but the Heat’s first three games offer little reason for confidence. They were horrible in the first two. They stayed competitive against Charlotte in the third game but faded late as Charlotte made a couple of three-pointers to secure the win.

Miami could win by 20, but there are other options on the slate. If the Heat fail to cover after their recent performances, backing them at minus 8.5 will be difficult to justify. Dallas could also score a late basket and turn a comfortable Miami lead into a four- or five-point result.