Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 19/01/2024, 07:30  by Devesh Jaganath in NBA Predictions

The Miami Heat will play host to the Atlanta Hawks at the American Airlines Arena in the NBA on Friday night. The hosts are 24-17 and sixth in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are 17-23 and currently in tenth place. 

The Atlanta Hawks, having split their last ten games, aim to build momentum after recent victories against the Spurs and Magic this week. In the matchup against the Magic, Dejounte Murray led the team with 26 points, while Trae Young contributed a double-double with 18 points and 12 assists. Atlanta enters this contest with a robust offensive performance, averaging 121 points per game, ranking them 4th in the league and presenting a scoring margin of 10.1 points more than Miami typically concedes. The Hawks also lead the NBA in offensive rebounds per game, showcasing their proficiency on the offensive glass. However, defensive challenges persist, as Atlanta allows an average of 123 points per game, placing them 28th in the league in terms of defense. Mouhamed Gueye, De'Andre Hunter, Vit Krejci, and Wesley Matthews are listed as doubtful.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat enter this matchup with a record of five victories in their last eight games, securing notable wins against the Hornets and Nets but experiencing a setback against the Raptors, where they fell short of the 100-point mark in a 212-97 blowout. In the loss to Toronto, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro each contributed 16 points. Miami's offensive performance averages 111.5 points per game, positioning them 25th in the league and scoring 11.9 points fewer than Atlanta typically concedes. Despite offensive challenges, the Heat's defense remains a formidable force, holding opponents to less than 100 points in three of their last four games. They boast a solid defensive record, allowing only 110.9 points per game, ranking them second in the league. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dru Smith, and Kevin Love comprise the injury list for the Heat.