Knicks vs. Heat Friday NBA injury report, odds: New York best against-the-spread team since February, may not face Jimmy Butler

While they can't match the Milwaukee Bucks' 16-game winning streak (Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. are on another planet right now), the New York Knicks carry an impressive seven-win streak into Friday's game at Miami, which could potentially have big Eastern Conference playoff ramifications down the line. New York is -2.5 at Caesars Sportsbook and may avoid facing Miami's best player in Jimmy Butler.

Since the start of February, the Knicks' 9-2-1 against the spread record is the NBA's best, and they are 5-0 ATS as favorites in that span. Only one of those favored win came on the road: Feb. 7's game at Orlando, when the Knicks rallied for a 102-98 victory as a 1-point favorite.

Coach Tom Thibodeau's team is up to fifth place in the East, with the most realistic goal being a fourth-place finish and earning home-court advantage in the first-round of the playoffs. Oddsmakers still aren't taking the Knicks very seriously in terms of title contention, though. They opened the season at +25000 to win it all, got down to +15000 on Monday, were +10000 following Wednesday's impressive 142-118 blowout of Brooklyn, and are now +8000. At 37-27, the Knicks have matched their win total from last season, when they finished 37-45.

Jalen Brunson was spectacular in February. He averaged 27.3 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, and then added 39 points, six assists and five rebounds Wednesday. 

New York's seven-game winning streak is actually one shy of a season high. The Knicks won eight in a row in December, but followed that immediately with a five-game skid.

The Heat caught a major break on Wednesday against the visiting 76ers when Joel Embiid was scratched with a foot injury, yet Miami was still housed 119-96 to lose for the fifth time in six games. That's what you get with this team. The Heat can beat anyone, and then look terrible for a long stretch. There's a reason they're in seventh place in the East.

The All-Star Butler had 16 points in just 27 minutes before sitting Wednesday. He's dealing with right knee soreness and is listed as questionable for Friday's game.

These rivals have played just once this season but will see each other three times in March. The Knicks won 106-104 on Feb. 2 at home but still have dropped nine of the past 12 in the series. Brunson missed that game with an illness. Butler had only 10 points in 33 minutes. Tyler Herro's potentially game-winning 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.

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