Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks betting tips and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA Eastern Conference Playoff game on NBA TV. The Miami Heat have an opportunity to close out their 1st round series as they host the Atlanta Hawks with a commanding 3-1 lead. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler had another dominant performance with 36 points and 10 boards leading the Miami Heat to a blowout win in Game 4. Kyle Lowry not playing didn’t phase the Heat players too much as all 5 starters scored in double figures which were enough for a 24 points win.
Now comes the tricky part as they try to close things out on their home court. Eliminating any team from the playoffs is difficult, even if it’s the Atlanta Hawks who they’ve beaten in 8 of the last 9 meetings at the FTX Arena. The Heat have been dominant at home lately covering in their last 5 games there, on the season they are 31-12 in home games.
The first 2 wins of this series were never in doubt, it looks like Miami’s 13-3 SU record over their last 16 games vs Southeast Division opponents is going to improve on Tuesday.
Atlanta Hawks
Game 4 was competitive for about 12 minutes and then the Atlanta Hawks collapsed in the 2nd quarter allowing 30 points while scoring only 15. Clint Capela coming back didn’t help them at all as he finished with just 2 points in 21 minutes of play.
Trae Young was a massive disappointment with just 9 points scored on 3-for-11 shooting from the field. Deandre Hunter was the only Hawks player to have a solid game as he finished with 24, continuing a series of strong games against the Heat.
That’s not going to cut it though, the Hawks simply don’t have any answers for Miami here, both on offence and defence. After making it to the Eastern Conference finals, the Hawks barely made it into the playoffs this season, so there will be plenty of work for them during the offseason.
After watching Atlanta’s display in Game 4 there’s just no way they can avoid elimination in Miami here. The Heat have been consistent, especially Jimmy Butler who is averaging 30.5 points per game in this series. They are just a better all around team and I expect them to blow out Atlanta in this one. Back the Heat to cover.
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Predictions & Odds
Miami has held the Hawks under 100 points already twice in this series and their highest point total was 111 points in the Game 3 upset win. Sunday’s showing was a worrying one if you are Nate McMillan. When Trae Young gives you only 9 points on the night there’s simply not much you can hope for. Going on the road here I think we can expect another low scoring game from them as their last 5 away games have all cashed on the under.
Miami’s games are also low scoring lately, with 5 of their last 6 cashing on that bet. They are one of the rare teams in the NBA that rely heavily on defence to win games and we are seeing that on full display in this series. In head-to-head meetings we’ve seen the under cash in 7 of the last 10 games and the two teams are averaging 212.6 points per game during that stretch which is almost 5 points under the projected total for Tuesday’s game.
Both of these teams rank in the bottom 10 when it comes to pace, especially Miami averaging just 98.2 possessions per game which is 2nd only to Dallas in the entire NBA. I think backing the under is the smart bet in this one.
