The Miami Heat (40-14) will look to extend their winning streak, while the New York Knicks (21-36) will try to snap their skid when they collide on Thursday at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
The Knicks have been struggling all-season long and they are nowhere near the type of team they were when they won 54 games last season. They are currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and on pace to miss the playoffs for the first time four seasons.
The Knicks are currently on a three-game losing skid and have lost in six of their last seven games, but a win against the defending champions would certainly boost the team's morale.
The only bright spot for the Knicks at this point is the stellar performance of superstar forward Carmelo Anthony, who has been on a tear over their last four games, averaging 41.3 points during that span.
The Heat, on the other hand, are definitely peaking at the right time as they have won in seven of their last eight games, including their last five.
The defending champs are coming off two-straight blowout wins. They scored a masterful 103-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, which was followed by a 93-79 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Heat superstar LeBron James missed Sunday's game due to a broken nose, but the four-time and reigning MVP will reportedly play, wearing a mask, against the Knicks.
James' return would give the Knicks additional headaches. The 29-year-old superstar averaged 33.3 points to go along with 9.0 rebounds and 6.3 rebounds in his last four games.
Live Stream, TV Schedule, Odds
Unsurprisingly, the Heat are favored to win on Thursday's showdown as they are currently listed as a 15.5-point favorite, while the total has been set at 195.5 points.
But despite having a better record than the Knicks, Heat head coach Mike Spoelstra vowed that they won't underestimate New York, considering the fact their Eastern Conference rival scored a 102-92 win during their first meeting this season in early January.
"We're not playing their record. We're playing the team that beat us," Spoelstra told Newsday.
The Knicks-Heat showdown will be broadcasted nationally by TNT starting 8 p.m. EST. Fans can also catch the action via TNT Overtime and NBA League Pass.
