It’s officially playoff time in the NBA. Before we get to the intensity of a seven-game series, we have the anticipation of the play-in tournament which kicks off tonight. The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks will square off for the #7 seed and a duel with the Boston Celtics.
Heat vs Hawks Game info
Who: Heat (44-38) @ Hawks (41-41)
When: 7:30PM, Tuesday, April 11th, 2023
Where: Kaysea Center, Miami
How to watch: TNT
Heat vs Hawks Betting odds
Spread: Heat -5 | Hawks +5
Moneyline: Heat -205 | Bucks +175
Total: Over/Under 228.5 points
Heat vs Hawks betting preview
These two divisional rivals have loved horns 4 times already this season, with the Heat winning 3 of those matchups, but a Quin Snyder-led Hawks team might have some more resilience this time around with a playoff spot on the line.
Since Snyder has taken over as Head Coach, the Hawks are 10-11, but they went 4-1 in the month of April prior to losses to both the Sixers and Celtics. There are reasons for optimism with this Hawks side and most of them sit with the offense coming into Heat vs Hawks.
Trae Young leads a young team that now ranks 4th in offensive rating, but sits 22nd on defense. This is a total contrast to a defensively solid Heat team that has often struggled from the field and beyond the arc. Consistency has been the thing missing from this Heat team, with players like Tyler Herro and Bam Adabeyo heating up one minute and going icy cold the next. In this perfect storm, it could well be individual excellence that tilts the scales.
Miami will look to lean on the veteran leadership of Jimmy Butler, who has been to the playoffs time and time again and has often played some of his best basketball in those games. He’s 46-51 in the playoffs, but is averaging 26 points, 4 boards, and 6 assists per game.
Trae Young comes into this Heat vs Hawks play-in game with a 10-11 postseason record, averaging 25 points and nearly 9 assists per playoff game.
Miami is the team that should feast in front of its home fans and they already appear to have the antidote for Trae Young, but can they stop the star one more time?
Heat vs Hawks Betting pick
Let’s not forget that it was the Heat who knocked out the Hawks over a five-game series last year. The Hawks come into this game having also dropped 3 to Miami this year. They’ll be fired up and looking to take advantage of a team that’s only 19-37 against the spread as a favorite, and 11-23 as a home favorite. Jimmy Buckets will make winning tough, but I think the Hawks bring it to a nail-biting finish.
Heat vs Hawks Betting pick: Hawks +5
Heat ve Hawks betting promos
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
