In a highly anticipated triple-header on ABC to cap off NBA Rivals Week, the New York Knicks will take on the Miami Heat. The matchup is a rematch from last year's playoffs, and one player who may struggle in this game is Julius Randle.

Randle has been performing well as of late, averaging an impressive 25.3 points per game in his last 13 outings since the RJ Barrett trade. However, it is important to note that this scoring average is slightly inflated due to a 39-point outburst against a weak Washington Wizards defense.

Historically, Randle has struggled when playing against the Heat, particularly in slow-paced matchups. Over their last five meetings, Randle has averaged just 16.4 points per game, failing to surpass his prop in any of those contests.

The Heat's defensive prowess poses a challenge for Randle. He excels when attacking the paint, with 42% of his made baskets coming from there, as well as scoring 10.1 points per game (35%) from free throws and in transition. However, the Heat rank among the top five teams in defensive rankings in these areas, according to NBAstats.com.

Adding to Randle's difficulty is the one-on-one challenge he will face against Bam Adebayo. Known for his defensive prowess, Adebayo's physical toughness and lateral quickness have limited recent forwards such as Kristaps Porzingis, Jaren Jackson Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Alperen Sengun to under 22 points in their assignments.

As the Knicks prepare for this challenging matchup, NBA bettors can now join in on the action with the ESPN Bet app. The app offers a comprehensive NBA betting scoreboard, free picks from proven pros, and live win probabilities for bets.

The game between the Knicks and Heat is sure to be a thrilling one, as Julius Randle looks to overcome his struggles against Miami's tough defense and the formidable presence of Bam Adebayo.