The Atlanta Hawks found out in Game 1 that having an offense with powerhouse capabilities isn’t going to be enough to beat the top-seeded Miami Heat. In the series opener, Miami flexed its defensive muscles and made life difficult on the Hawks. Betting stats NBA shows that the Hawks will need to show some life in Game 2 in Miami if they want to make this a competitive series. Take a look at Hawks at Heat Betting Analysis.
The Heat won’t want to mess around on let Atlanta build confidence. Sports betting guides show Miami was quickly swept out of the playoffs by Milwaukee last season. The Heat will once again be ready to turn up the defensive pressure and make life difficult on Atlanta once the second game tips off.
Last Games Records
Miami beat Atlanta 115-91 in Game 1. The Heat were 53-29 in the regular season. Atlanta was 43-39.
Matchup Information
Hawks at Heat Betting Analysis
Atlanta Betting Analysis
Calling Atlanta’s offense efficient in the series opener would be the most polite description. The Hawks only recorded 16 assists on 29 made baskets and were forced to take difficult shots. Atlanta shot well below its season average in 3-point percentage, only making 27.8 percent (10-of-36) of its shows from the perimeter.
What the Hawks will need to build on from Game 1 is how they attacked the rim. Atlanta earned 27 trips to the free-throw line, which was nine more than Miami made. More importantly, the Hawks made 85.2 percent of their attempts from the charity stripe.
Most alarming was the performance of Atlanta superstar Trae Young, who was smothered by the Miami defense. Young shot 1-of-12 from the field and 0-of-7 from beyond the arc, finishing with eight points. Danilo Gallinari led the Hawks with 17 points, while Deandre Hunter finished with 14.
Miami Betting Analysis
The Heat couldn’t have shot 3-pointers too much better in Game 1. Duncan Robinson, in particular, was lethal. Robinson scored a team-high 27 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field and 8-of-9 shooting from the 3-point line. Overall, Miami knocked down 47.4 percent (18-of-38) of its attempts from the 3-point line.
What made the Heat’s offense performance so impressive was how they shared the ball. Miami had 35 assists on 43 made baskets. Kyle Lowrie led Miami with nine assists in addition to his 10 points. Jimmy Butler was also excellent for Miami, contributing 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The Heat will need to find another strong game plan against Young. In Young’s career, he has averaged 21.9 points per game against Miami.
Updates
Miami power forward PJ Tucker is listed as questionable with a calf injury. Markieff Morris is also listed as questionable for the Heat with a hip injury. Lou Williams will miss Game 2 for Atlanta with a back injury. Shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is listed as probably due to an ankle injury for the Hawks.
- Miami is 47-35-1 against the spread.
- Atlanta is 39-46 against the spread.
- The over is 48-34-1 in the Heats’ games this season.
- The over is 43-42 in the Hawks’ games this season.
- Miami is 28-25 against the spread following a win.
- Atlanta is 20-19 against the spread following a loss.
Atlanta Hawks at Heat Betting Preview
NBA betting odds have Miami as a seven-point favorite over Atlanta. The Heat’s moneyline is set at -295, while the Hawks are +240. Anyone looking for different kinds of NBA picks to make can wager on the over/under, which is set at 219.5 points.
Atlanta Hawks at Heat Betting Prediction
Miami showed in Game 1 that it isn’t here to mess around. The Heat’s offense was efficient and the defense made life miserable for Atlanta’s top players. With Atlanta missing center Clint Capela, who is out with a knee injury, the Hawks are missing one of their strong inside presences. While it is unlikely that Young will repeat his poor shooting from Game 1, Atlanta as a whole will need to find a way to move the ball better.
The Hawks did an excellent job of getting to the free-throw line but will need to play an all-around better game to steal a game in Miami. Signs are that the Heat will see some regression in Game 2. Miami shot at an unbelievable percentage in the series opener. However, even with a slightly less impressive performance, it is unlikely Atlanta will have the firepower to tackle Miami’s defense at home. Expect the Heat to cruise back to Atlanta with another big win.
Bet Miami -7.
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