Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 22/12/2023, 05:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 22/12/2023 at 05:33 in NBA Predictions

The Miami Heat will welcome the Atlanta Haws to the Kaseya Center for an NBA showdown on Friday night. The hosts are 16-12 and sixth in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are 12-15 and in tenth place. 

The Atlanta Hawks are on an upward trend, winning three of their last four games. They will be aiming to continue the positive momentum after a narrow 134-127 road victory against the Rockets in their last match. Trae Young played a key role, leading the team with 30 points and 14 assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 22 points and five assists. The Hawks have shown their offensive strength this season, averaging 123.1 points per game (third in the league) and scoring 121.7 points per 100 possessions. However, the defensive side has been the challenge for Atlanta, allowing 122.9 points per game, ranking third-worst in the NBA, and conceding 121.5 points per 100 possessions. Notably, the Hawks perform better offensively at home, averaging 125.5 points per game compared to 121.6 points on the road. In terms of injuries, Jalen Johnson, Kobe Bufkin, and Mouhamed Gueye are doubts for the upcoming match.

Meanwhile, The Miami Heat have also been performing well, securing four victories in their last six games, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak after defeating the Magic 115-106 last time out. Tyler Herro led the team with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 10 of 17 from the field, while Bam Adebayo contributed 18 points. In terms of scoring, the Heat rank 20th in the NBA, averaging 112.9 points per game, while the Hawks are 28th in points allowed per game (122.9) in the league. Miami's defense is currently ranked ninth, allowing an average of 111.8 points per game and 115.9 points per 100 possessions. The Heat perform much better offensively at home, where they average 116.2 points per game, compared to on the road, where they score 110.1 points per game. Unfortunately for Miami, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, and Dru Smith are likely to miss the upcoming match due to injury.