The race for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference is heating up as the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks prepare to face off in a crucial play-in game. The winner of this matchup will advance to the playoffs to take on the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Here’s a detailed preview of the Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks showdown, set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Preview and Odds
- Moneyline: Heat (+115) vs Hawks (-105)
- Spread: Heat -1.5 (-110) vs Hawks +1.5 (-110)
- Total (O/U): Heat o219.5 (-110) vs Hawks u219.5 (-110)
- Editor’s note: The odds provided are subject to change closer to game time.
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Preview
Both the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are no strangers to the play-in tournament, and this year they are set to battle it out for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The series between these two teams during the regular season ended in a 2-2 tie, setting the stage for a competitive matchup in the play-in game.
The Hawks secured victories in the first two meetings with double-digit margins, while the Heat responded with convincing wins in the next two games. Tyler Herro was a standout performer for the Heat, averaging 24.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game against the Hawks.
On the other hand, Hawks’ star Trae Young struggled against Miami’s defense, posting below-par numbers compared to his regular-season stats. The Heat enter the game on a high note following a dominant win over the Bulls, with Herro dropping 38 points. Meanwhile, the Hawks will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Magic, where Young was ejected late in the game.
Injuries could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the game. The Heat have a few players listed as questionable, while the Hawks will be without several key players due to injuries.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Heat:
- G – Tyler Herro
- G – Alec Burks
- F – Andrew Wiggins
- F – Bam Adebayo
- C – Kel’el Ware
Hawks:
- G – Trae Young
- G – Dyson Daniels
- F – Zaccharie Risacher
- F – Mouhamed Gueye
- C – Onyeka Okongwu
Betting Props
- Trae Young O/U 25.5 points – Take the over.
- Tyler Herro O/U 25.5 points – Take the under.
- Andrew Wiggins O/U 19.5 points – Take the under.
Prediction
In what is expected to be a closely contested game, the Miami Heat are predicted to come out on top led by a strong performance from Herro. Our prediction is that the Heat will win by 11 points.
This game promises to be a thrilling battle with playoff implications on the line. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams vying for a spot in the postseason.
