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This Hawks-Heat betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com.
The Sportsbook.com Line/Total: Miami -6 & 190.5
The Heat will try to end a three-game losing streak Tuesday versus Atlanta with a injury-riddled roster. Chris Bosh (ankle) is out, LeBron James (ankle) is questionable and Dwyane Wade (knee) is probable to play against the Hawks.
Atlanta is playing great basketball lately, winning six of its past seven games and scoring at least 100 in all seven contests. However, the competition has not been too fierce as these six opponents (two games versus Sacramento) have a combined 99-142 record (.411) this season. In the past three games (all ATS defeats), Atlanta has allowed 103.7 PPG on 51% FG, while getting outrebounded 146 to 136. The Hawks’ last trip to Miami on Dec. 4 wasn’t very memorable as the Heat won 89-77, holding Atlanta to 40% FG and 29% 3-pt FG (5-for-17). But Joe Johnson didn’t play that game, and he has been on fire recently with 28.9 PPG on 52% FG and 16-of-38 (42%) from three-point land in his past seven games. Johnson had a season-high 36 points on 16-of-27 shooting (59%) in Monday’s 100-98 win over Sacramento. Al Horford pitched in with 23 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks. Horford scored 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting in the December loss to Miami. Jamal Crawford has cooled down considerably since his six-game streak of 20+ points from New Year’s Eve to Jan. 12. In his past two games, Crawford has scored a total of 16 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
The Heat haven’t won since James sprained his left ankle on Jan. 12, dropping the final three contests of their five-game road trip. James said his ankle was improved on Monday, after being a late scratch before Saturday’s 99-96 loss at Chicago, is hoping team trainers will clear him to play against Atlanta. The Hawks are hoping otherwise, considering James is averaging 27.8 PPG, 48% FG, 7.7 RPG and 6.3 APG in 25 career games versus Atlanta. Wade has also enjoyed playing the Hawks, with 23.8 PPG, 50% FG and 6.7 APG in 22 career meetings and 31.8 PPG on 55% FG in his past four home meetings. With Udonis Haslem (foot) out indefinitely, Bosh’s replacement in the starting lineup will be either 37-year-old Juwan Howard (2.4 PPG) or Joel Anthony (1.9 PPG). Anthony played 38 minutes in the loss to Chicago and only scored two points, but he also had five rebounds and three blocks.
Although Miami has been a tough bet at home this season at 6-12 ATS, the Heat have absolutely owned the Hawks at home, posting a 23-8 ATS (27-4 SU) record since 1996, including playoffs.
Many at Sportsbook.com have taken notice that Miami has only covered one of their last five games, as 71% are fading the Heat & taking the points with the Hawks.
