The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks meet Friday in the NBA Play-In at the State Farm Arena. Here’s a Hawks vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Hawks vs Heat Pick. The winner of this game will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat are coming off a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls. The Heat look for two straight wins for the first time since March 31 – April 2. The Heat haven’t missed the playoffs season the 2018-19 season.
The Miami Heat are averaging 112 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 111.4 points on 46.6 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 23.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, while Andrew Wiggins is averaging 19 points and 4.2 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer, and Duncan Robinson is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 79.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Atlanta Hawks are coming off a blowout loss to the Orlando Magic. The Hawks haven’t lost two straight games since April 2-5. The Hawks look to make the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years.
The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 119.6 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 120.8 points on 48.1 percent shooting. Trae Young is averaging 24.2 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Dyson Daniels is averaging 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu is the third double-digit scorer, and Zaccharie Risacher is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The Atlanta Hawks are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 37.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45 rebounds per game.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The Hawks have won each of their last three games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Heat have lost seven of their last nine games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games after winning as underdogs.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last four games between the Heat and Hawks.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Heat have won each of their last nine games as road favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Hawks have lost 10 of their last 11 games at State Farm Arena following a road loss.
- The Heat have covered the spread in six of their last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
Atlanta Hawks Player Facts
- Trae Young ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (11.6) this season.
- Dyson Daniels ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (3.0) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Tyler Herro ranks T7th in the league for fast break points (290) this season.
- Bam Adebayo ranks 4th amongst qualified Forwards for rebounds per game (9.6) this season.
Hawks vs Heat Injury Report
The Hawks won’t have Kobe Bufkin, Larry Nance Jr., Clint Capela, and Jalen Johnson.
The Miami Heat will be without Dru Smith. Nikola Jovic, Kevin Love, Pelle Larsson and are questionable after being ruled out on Wednesday.
Hawks vs Heat Prediction
The Heat have won the last two games against the Hawks and give of the last eight games. The Hawks looked awful against the Magic, getting down 20-plus points twice to an Orlando side that can’t score the basketball. The Heat looked great against the Bulls and have covered seven of their last 10 games. The Heat have endless playoff experience and the best coach in the league, which is ideal in a single-game elimination where game planing is key.
The Hawks don’t play a lick of defense, and Young hasn’t been the go-to scorer you’d expect him to be at this stage. The Heat have bodies to throw at the Hawks key scorers, and there’s little resistance on the defensive side. I wouldn’t be shocked if this is a blowout for the Heat. Give me the Heat.