On Tuesday night, the NBA play-in tournament will tip off with an Eastern Conference matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat. These Southeast Division rivals finished seventh and eighth in the East, respectively, and will meet here in a rematch of their first-round playoff series from a season ago. Miami is favored to advance past the Hawks once again here, while a very different Hawks team will aim to avoid their season ending at the hands of the Heat for the second straight year.
We will now preview the game plus our betting prediction for this Eastern Conference basketball contest. Keep reading for NBA betting lines, analysis, and a free pick for Hawks vs. Heat.
NBA Play-In Tournament: Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat | MyBookie NBA Preview
NBA Odds: Heat -5 / Hawks +170 / Heat -200 / O/U 227
When: Tuesday, April 11 at 7:30 pm ET
Where: FTX Arena, Miami, Florida
TV / Streaming: TNT
NBA Play-In – East – 7th Place vs 8th Place
Atlanta Hawk (41-41, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (44-38, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Why Bet on Hawks versus Miami?
The Atlanta Hawks come into the NBA play-in tournament, having lost two games in a row, going 41-41 for the year. In fairness to the Hawks, those two straight losses came when their seeding in the Eastern Conference was already decided, and key players were rested as a result. But Atlanta’s stars will be back on the floor for this game, and they will look to prove that the changes they made since last season were enough to beat the Heat.
Specifically, the additions of guard Dejounte Murray and head coach Quin Snyder will be important in this play-in matchup. Murray’s perimeter defense and ability to score from the mid-range could rival those of Jimmy Butler here. Meanwhile, Snyder’s ball movement and three-point shooting-centered coaching style could end up testing one of the best defenses in the NBA in South Florida.
Atlanta Hawks Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 118.4
- FG %: 54.1
- 3PT %: 30.5
- FT %: 81.8
- Rebounds/G: 51.2
Atlanta Hawks Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 118.1
- FG %: 55.2
- 3PT %: 33.
- FT %: 80.3
- Rebounds/G: 51.6
Why Bet on Heat versus Atlanta?
The Miami Heat finished the regular season at 44-38 on the year, with last year’s Eastern Conference runners-up facing a much tougher path to the conference finals this time around. While the defense of the Heat was one of just two teams to allow under 110 points per game this year, their offense has been cause for concern throughout the year. Miami has averaged 109.5 points per game, making them the only team averaging under 110 points per game on offense.
In this game, the return of Kyle Lowry could be a huge piece of the puzzle for the Heat. Miami has been without the services of Lowry for much of this season, but his return boosts the depth of the Heat guard group. Having Lowry available to start will allow players like Gabe Vincent the ability to come off the bench and deliver against bench competition that is easier for him to handle.
Miami Heat Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 109.5
- FG %: 53.0
- 3PT %: 34.8
- FT %: 83.1
- Rebounds/G: 48.5
Miami Heat Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 109.8
- FG %: 56.1
- 3PT %: 35.8
- FT %: 78.1
- Rebounds/G: 49.1
Atlanta at Miami Betting Trends
- The Miami Heat have not covered the Moneyline in 8 of their last 10 Away games
- In the last 8 of 10 Home games, the Miami Heat have covered the Moneyline bet
- In the last 10 of 20 games, the Miami Heat have not covered the Moneyline bet
- The Atlanta Hawks have not hit the Moneyline in 6 of their last 11 Away games
- The Atlanta Hawks have covered the Moneyline in 5 of their last 9 Home games
- The Atlanta Hawks have not covered the Moneyline in 10 of their last 20 games
- When it scores more than 109.8 points, Atlanta is 32-28-2 against the spread and 39-23 overall
- Miami is 11-4-1 against the spread and 13-3 overall when scoring more than 118.1 points
Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela
Miami Heat
Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo
Injuries
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young (groin – out), Dejounte Murray (ankle – day to day), John Collins (back – day to day)
Miami Heat
Nikola Jovic (back – day to day)
Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat Betting Odds and Prediction
For the Hawks, the key to this game is going to be whether or not they can slow down Jimmy Butler in crunch time. Atlanta is tied for the worst defensive mark among teams to finish in the top 10 in either conference this season, giving up 118.1 points per game. With Butler proving himself as an elite crunch-time scorer last postseason, the Hawks have to step up on the defensive end of the floor to avoid an elimination game.
For Miami, the number one key to this matchup will be whether or not their defense can continue to be great. Facing the guard duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray can turn even the best defensive group into a group of turnstiles when Young and Murray are at their best. Miami needs to stay connected at all times to avoid any problems in this contest.
NBA Play-In Tournament | Bet Hawks @ Lakers Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
2023 NBA Playoffs schedule
Tuesday, April 11
- Play-In Game 1: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Play-In Game 2: (8) Minnesota Timberwolves at (7) Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Wednesday, April 12
- Play-In Game 3: (10) Chicago Bulls at (9) Toronto Raptors, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Play-In Game 4: (10) Oklahoma City Thunder at (9) New Orleans Pelicans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Friday, April 14
- Play-In Game 5: Game 3 winner at Game 1 loser, 7 or 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Play-In Game 6: Game 4 winner at Game 2 loser, 9:30 or 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Saturday, April 15
- (6) Brooklyn Nets at (3) Philadelphia 76ers, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (7) Heat or Hawks at (2) Boston Celtics, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (5) New York Knicks at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (6) Golden State Warriors at (2) Sacramento Kings, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Sunday, April 16
- (8) East at (1) Milwaukee Bucks, TBD, TBD
- (8) West at (1) Denver Nuggets, TBD, TBD
- (7) Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves at (2) Memphis Grizzlies, TBD, TBD
- (5) Los Angeles Clippers at (4) Phoenix Suns, TBD, TBD
NBA on TNT crew discuss 2023 NBA Playoffs | 2023 NBA Season
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