New York Knicks (31-42, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (47-26, first in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Conference foes Miami and New York will play on Friday.
The Heat are 30-14 in Eastern Conference games. Miami ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with 11.0 fast break points per game led by Jimmy Butler averaging 2.8.
The Knicks have gone 16-27 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York is last in the NBA with just 21.6 assists per game led by Julius Randle averaging 5.1.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Heat won 115-100 in the last matchup on Feb. 26. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 25 points, and RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 46 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Lowry is averaging 13.1 points and 7.7 assists for the Heat. Butler is averaging 21.2 points, six rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games for Miami.
Randle is averaging 20.3 points, 10 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Knicks. Barrett is averaging 25.1 points over the last 10 games for New York.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 108.1 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.1 points per game.
Knicks: 6-4, averaging 112.8 points, 47.8 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.9 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Gabe Vincent: out (toe), Tyler Herro: out (knee).
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson: out (back), Nerlens Noel: out (foot), Derrick Rose: out (ankle), Cam Reddish: out for season (shoulder), Julius Randle: out (quad).(AP)
(Photo credits to: All U Can Heat)