How New York Knicks Keep In-Season Tournament Hopes Alive

If the New York Knicks want to advance to the knockout round of the In-Season Tournament, they have to beat the Miami Heat at home on Friday (7:30 p.m., MSG/ESPN).

The Knicks (8-6) are currently wedged in third place in East Group B ahead of the 1-2 Charlotte Hornets and eliminated Washington Wizards but behind the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks and Heat. A loss to Miami would all but eliminate the Knicks from competing in the eight-team road to the Las Vegas-based championship on Dec. 9. As it stands, Miami (10-5) currently holds the East's wild card spot that goes to the top group runner-up.

A Miami win would set up a de facto Group B championship game against the Bucks on Tuesday. But the Knicks need further assistance on Friday night if they want a shot at the group title: by falling to Milwaukee in their In-Season Tournament opener on Nov. 3, the Knicks lost out on the primary tiebreaker and will be eliminated from first-place consideration with one more Bucks win. With Milwaukee facing hapless Washington on Friday night, the wild card appears to be their best chance.

Two wins to end group play would give the Knicks a 3-1 record with a point differential in the double digits. Point differential is the primary tiebreaker in the wild card chase, and, entering Friday's games, the Knicks have the best (+16) in the East out of any team with a loss in their record.

Even if in-season glory isn't meant to be, the Knicks will have plenty to play for on Friday night: Miami's visit will be its first since the defending Eastern Conference champion ended New York's season last spring.

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