The Post’s experts make their predictions for the upcoming Knicks-Heat best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series which begins on Sunday at Madison Square Garden:
Peter Botte: Knicks in 6
As phenomenally as Jimmy Butler performed against the Bucks, Tyler Herro’s absence will be felt more by the Heat against the Knicks, whose depth, defense and physicality crushed the will of the Cavaliers and incredibly will carry them into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Zach Braziller: Knicks in 6
The Heat have the best player, but the Knicks have the better roster, and that’s even if Julius Randle isn’t 100 percent.
They took care of the Cavaliers in five games despite struggles for Randle and super-sub Immanuel Quickley.
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Jimmy Butler can’t beat Tom Thibodeau’s team by himself, and without Tyler Herro, he won’t have enough help.
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Brian Lewis: Heat in 7
The Knicks were impressive in grinding down Cleveland. But Erik Spoelstra’s Heat aren’t going to be broken as easily as the Cavaliers were.
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With a 100 percent Julius Randle, the Knicks would be the pick, but ankle injuries are tricky and Jimmy Butler (37.6 ppg, six boards) has that playoff look, the biggest reason Miami went from dead last in scoring during the regular season to first in the postseason at 124 points per game.
Mike Vaccaro: Knicks in 7
Every time the Knicks and Heat played in the heady, sweaty Ewing-Mourning era, every series came down to a decisive game.
No need to think this will be any different. The road team won three of those four games. Not this time.
