Heat vs. Knicks NBA playoffs Game 5 odds, trends, props: Bettors favor Miami to end series Wednesday, Jimmy Butler to extend 25-point streak

Just one No. 8 seed in NBA history has made the Finals: the 1998-99 New York Knicks. The Eastern Conference eighth-seeded Miami Heat can take another step toward following in their footsteps by winning at Madison Square Garden Wednesday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to eliminate the Knicks, who are 3.5-point favorites at BetMGM. New York hasn't won a game in this series in which Jimmy Butler has played. Bettors are fading the Knicks and expect Butler to continue his stellar scoring run. Click here for model picks.

At BetMGM, just 29% of the action and 42% of the handle is on the Knicks against the spread. On the total of 209.5, 72% of the action and 66% of the handle on the Over. At +140 on the money line, Miami is taking 87% of the bets and 76% of the money.

The Heat are listing Butler as questionable and some talking heads have speculated that Miami should rest Butler (sprained right ankle) so he can be that much healthier for Game 6 on Friday in South Florida (if there is one). But you don't let a team off the mat with a chance to finish the series. Butler should play barring something truly shocking.

Butler has scored at least 25 points in 10 straight postseason games dating back to last year, the second-longest streak in Heat playoff history. The record of 16 games is held by LeBron James, who did so in 2012-13. Butler had a 27-point, 10-assist double-double in Game 4 vs. New York, his fifth 25-point, 10-assist game with the Heat, tying for the most such games in team postseason history with Dwyane Wade.

Butler Over 27.5 points at -130 is one of the most-wagered player props at the sportsbook, along with Jalen Brunson Over 25.5 points (-110) and Mitchell Robinson at -165 to win the opening tip. I honestly tried to look up opening tip statistics for the full season and couldn't find any. The Knicks have won it for the past three games.

New York played Game 4 without starting guard Immanuel Quickley, and he's doubtful tonight. Quentin Grimes started in the 109-101 Game 4 loss and scored nine points in 42 minutes. Josh Hart played just 22 minutes off the bench because of foul trouble but normally would see a lot more time with Quickley out.

On the updated series line, Miami is -825 and New York is +605. After defeating the Bucks in Game 5 in Round 1, the Heat are now 14-0 all-time in a series when holding a 3-1 advantage. It's not impossible tonight is the final game as Knicks coach for Tom Thibodeau if the team goes out meekly. He has been thoroughly out-maneuvered by Erik Spoelstra. 

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