NBA expert picks on the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat aren’t a cut-and-dry selection. With two games remaining in the schedule, the Heat have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and have nothing of substance to play for against the Hawks. Miami is playing some of its best basketball recently, winning its last five games, including four of those by 10 points or more.
The Hawks, meanwhile, can still determine where they land for their seeding in the play-in tournament. Betting guides show that Atlanta is in ninth place and is a game behind Cleveland for seventh and is currently tied with Brooklyn for eighth place. The Hawks have won six of their past seven games to look like a serious playoff contender heading toward the end of the season.
Last Game’s Records
Atlanta beat Washington 118-103 on April 6 at home. The Hawks’ record is 42-38. Miami beat Charlotte 144-115 on April 5 at home. The Heat are 52-28.
Matchup Information
Hawks at Heat Betting Analysis
Atlanta Betting Analysis
Hawks guard Trae Young, who ranks fifth in the NBA in 28.3 points per game, has been especially hot during Atlanta’s recent strong play. Young has scored 25 or more points in five straight games, including when he put up 41 against Oklahoma City on March 28. Young leads the team by making 3.1 3-pointers per contest.
Atlanta’s offense has had a strong season, ranking sixth in the NBA by scoring 113.8 points per game. The Hawks shoot 46.9 percent from the field, which ranks eighth in the league. Atlanta is the league’s second-best 3-point shooting team, knocking down 37.4 percent from the perimeter. Shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic also contributes 14.9 points per game for the Hawks. Bogdanovic is second on the team by making 2.7 treys per game.
The defense has been Atlanta’s major struggle this season. The Hawks allow opponents to shoot 36.3 percent from the 3-point line, ranking 25th in the league. Opponents average 112.4 points per game against Atlanta this season, which ranks 22nd in the league.
Miami Betting Analysis
The Heat’s offense is in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring offense, ranking 17th in the league by scoring 110 points per game. Miami, though, is deadly from the outside. The Heat make 37.9 percent of their shots from the perimeter, which leads the league. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro have been Miami’s top two 3-point shooters.
Robinson, who makes 2.9 treys per game, averages 11 points per game. Herro, who provides the Heat with a spark off the bench, averages 2.9 3-pointers per game and is second on the team in scoring by scoring 20.8 points per game.
But Miami really punishes its opponents with its defense. The Heat are second in the league in defensive 3-point percentage, limiting its opponents to 33.9 percent shooting from the outside. Miami also ranks third in the league by holding opponents to 105.3 points per game.
Updates
Miami will rest veteran forward P.J. Tucker. The Heat have listed Dewayne Dedmon, Haywood Highsmith, Caleb Martin, Markieff Morris, Gabe Vincent, and Omer Yurtseven as questionable. The Hawks will be without John Collins.
- Atlanta is 36-44 against the spread.
- Miami is 45-34-1 against the spread.
- The over has a record of 42-38 against the total in the Hawks’ games.
- The over has a record of 33-44-2 against the total in the Heat’s games.
- Atlanta is 16-25 against the spread following a win.
- Miami is 27-24 against the spread following a win.
Hawks at Heat Betting Preview
NBA betting odds tonight have the Heat as 3.5-point favorites. Betting stats NBA show Miami -165 on the moneyline, while the Hawks are +140. The over/under has been set at 228.5 points.
Hawks at Heat Prediction
Miami doesn’t have much to play for now that other teams lost and provided the Heat with the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are 28-12 at home this season, but may not perform up to their usual standards if they choose to rest players. Atlanta’s offense has been clicking over the past few weeks.
However, the Hawks haven’t played well on the road this season. Atlanta is 15-24 away from home and lost to Miami by six points on the road earlier this season. Keep an eye on the injury report to see if the Heat decide to rest anyone else closer to game time.
Bet on the Hawks to cover as 3.5-point underdogs.
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