Miami at Atlanta
Time: 7:30 PM ET, Apr 12, 2014
Spread: MIA -5
Total: 194
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Miami Heat are seizing the opportunity to take hold of the East’s best record with the Indiana Pacers struggling.
The Heat are 1/2 game ahead of Miami for the No. 1 seed, and will travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks in a game that has implications for Atlanta, too.
The Hawks hold a two-game lead over the Knicks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and can clinch its berth with a victory tonight. The Heat will be five point favorites according to NBA oddsmakers at Bovada who also set the NBA odds for the total at 194.
The Heat have been without Dwyane Wade for the last nine games, and the team has gone 6-3 over that span. After tonight’s game, the Heat face Washington and Philadelphia, both of which should be wins for LeBron James and company. Erik Spoestra cited great intensity as the reason for the Heat’s 98-86 win over Indiana on Friday night. LBJ scored 36 points, and four other Heat players chipped in with at least 10 points.
The Heat are 22-17 on the road this season, which is good but not outstanding. The Hawks are a crippled team without All-Star Al Horford, but Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague have both had good enough seasons to keep the Hawks competitive in the woeful Eastern Conference.
Millsap is averaging 18 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and posting a PER of 19.9. Teague is the only other Hawk posting an above-average PER, and the Hawks offensive numbers are underwhelming. Still, the team plays tough enough defense that it could eek out a first round win.
MIA Trends: 4-0 ATS in last 4 games vs teams with losing SU records; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 games following an SU win; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 following ATS win
ATL Trends: 1-5 ATS in last 6 home games vs teams with winning road records; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 playing on 0 days rest; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 Saturday games.
Head-to-head: Heat 7-1 ATS in last 8 meetings in Atlanta; UNDER 6-2 in last 8 meetings; Heat 37-18 ATS in last 55 meetings.
