Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks Pick – Odds and Against the Spread Predictions

The Miami Heat (19-18) will travel to the ATL to take on the Atlanta Hawks (11-27) at the State Farm Arena for a Southeast Division showdown. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM and is set to be broadcast on FSN for regional audiences. These two teams have met twice already this year with the Hawks earning both wins in the series. Most recently, the Hawks edged out the Heat in November in Miami by a score of 115-133 to pull an outright upset as a 7.5-point underdog. This was also Atlanta’s second outright victory this season against Miami as an underdog. Overall Atlanta is 4-1-1 ATS in its previous six against Miami.

Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks Overview

Miami Heat

The Heat enters into this contest on two-game win streak capped off by a win against divisional rival Washington on Friday by a score of 115-109. Despite the triumph, Miami failed to cover a 6.5-point line as they fell half of a point short in that endeavor.

Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta heads into this fixture on the heels of a three-game losing streak as they were absolutely pummeled on Friday by the Milwaukee Bucks on the road by a score of 144-112. Despite being granted 13.5 points at the closing bell, the ATL had no answer for the Deers’ prolific scoring offense.

Reasons To Back Miami

The Heat have all the ingredients here to pull the victory and do so emphatically. The Heat own a significant in the defense department as they are purveyors of a top-ten unit that give up just 105.8 points per outing which is an astounding 12.7 points less per game than Atlanta’s league-worst 118.5 points per contest. Concerning the margins, Atlanta sits at -9.3 to Miami’s +1.4. When you combine this with Miami’s edge in turnovers, the Heat can cash in on Atlanta mistakes and indeed make the Hawks pay.

Reasons To Avoid Atlanta

In many instances, home court advantage becomes a factor in many contests. In the case of the Heat, they are an outlier. Miami actually plays better on the road with a 10-7 SU away record compared to a losing home record of 9-11 SU. Any takers that looked to bank on the emotional intangibles resting with the Hawks combined with the location of venue should take credence in the fact that Miami will find more comfort playing this one in an unwelcoming environment. When you combine this with the poor form the Hawks are in, Atlanta is a very dubious proposition in this spot.