NBA Playoffs 2012: Why LeBron James, Miami Heat Will End Things in the Big Apple

The Miami Heat (3-0) and New York Knicks (0-3) are set to continue their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, with the opening tip scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Heat as eight-point road favorites, while the total has held steady at 183 in the betting market.

Miami has won all three games by double digits in this playoff series, including an 87-70 victory in Game 3 on Thursday night that has placed them just a win away from moving deeper into the postseason.

It would be shocking to see the Heat drop this contest due to their 5-0 against-the-spread record against the Knicks overall during the 2011-12 campaign.

LeBron James led all players In Game 3 with 32 points, tying a career high in the playoffs by scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, which ultimately boosted his average to 27.7 points per game this series.

He's always loved the spotlight of New York City, averaging 30.1 points in 15 career games at MSG.

The Heat have won six of seven games as a road favorite of 6.5 to nine points, with the "over" going 5-2 in those contests.

New York is certainly up against it, knowing that no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series, especially since the Knicks have lost their last six overall games against Miami since capturing a 91-86 win as 10-point road underdogs on Feb. 27, 2011.

The Knicks' only chance of winning this game is if forward Amar'e Stoudemire returns to the lineup, as it could provide a motivational lift to the locker room. The nine-year pro is a game-time decision, with a left hand injury.

I don't see it happening.

Miami advances and New York suffers its 14th straight playoff loss.

Prediction: Miami Heat 108, New York Knicks 90

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