Jeremy Lin... meet Lebron James

Coming into this season, the Heat versus the Knicks was considered one of the better match-ups on paper... and that was before the meteoric rise of Jeremy Lin.  Now this match-up has more of a buzz than anyone could have ever imagined.  Forget Melo and Stoudemire, this game has now become "Linsanity" v. "King James" Round 1.

I think this will probably be one of the most watched games this season, especially considering the international appeal and following that Lin has garnered.  Because of that, I feel it is only necessary that I make a pick.  The Heat are currently riding a seven game winning streak, which is good for the longest active streak in the NBA.  In those seven games, the first five of which were on the road, the Heat have won each in dominating fashion.  As of this morning, the line for tonight's game favors the Heat at home by 9 points.  However, I will be focusing on the first half line for this particular game which currently has the Heat as 5 point favorites.

With my focus being on the first half, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the Heat's seven game winning streak:

During Miami's winning streak they are 6-1 against first half spreads.  I included the standing of the teams because their biggest blowouts in the first half have come against some of the better teams in the Eastern Conference (Atlanta / Indiana) while some of their weaker first half showings have come against weaker teams (Washington / Sacramento).  This Heat team seems to play up and down to the moment and / or their competition.

So far in this season, the Heat know when to show up and know how to make a statement.  And considering the Knicks usually make second half pushes and the Heat take advantage of their athleticism early, this could end up being another double digit lead for Miami at the half.  This also may be the first time this season that Jeremy Lin faces a team that is athletic enough to switch on the high pick and roll.  The Knicks utilize the high pick and roll to get Lin into space which gives him the opportunity to either drive or kick it out to an open teammate.  With the athletes on Miami's team, I just don't see that style of offense being as successful as it has been recently.

Although I think the Heat could cover the full game spread, the NBA seems to be notorious for back door covers in games like this.  I could easily see Miami having a 15-20 point lead dwindle back down to inside of 10 in the final minutes just because that's the nature of the NBA.  When a win is guaranteed, the stars come off the court and defense is almost non-existent.  It is for that reason that I think the halftime line is a safer play.

Pick:  Miami -5.0 (first half line)