The Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat will meet in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Hawks-Heat prediction and pick.
The Heat obliterated the Hawks 115-94 to take a 1-0 series lead. Now, Miami hopes to take a commanding 2-0 lead with a Game 2 victory before heading to Atlanta.
Duncan Robinson came off the bench to score 27 points. He shot 9 for the 10 from the field. Additionally, he converted eight 3-pointers, a franchise record for 3-point conversions in a single playoff game. Also, this marked the second-most 3-point makes in a playoff game since Jason Terry did it in 2011 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jimmy Butler supported Robinson with 21 points. Similarly, P.J. Tucker added 16, and Kyle Lowry contributed 10 points. Miami led the game 49-40 at the half. Then, they extended the lead to 86-60 after three quarters. Furthermore, the 19-point halftime lead was the second largest of the season for Atlanta.
Trae Young struggled, shooting 1 for 12 from the field. He went 0 for 7 from beyond the arc, missing all his long-range shots. Danilo Gallinari was not much better, shooting 5 for 12 from the field and hitting one 3-pointer. The Hawks missed Clint Capela, who is out with a knee injury. John Collins expected to fill in for Capela but managed only four rebounds in Game 1. Miami did not destroy Atlanta on the boards, but a better performance by the Hawks could have made the game closer. Thus, Atlanta hopes to improve all aspects of its performance as they head into Game 2.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Hawks-Heat odds:
NBA Odds: Hawks-Heat Odds
Hawks: +7.5 (-108)
Heat: -7.5 (-112)
Over: 217.5 (-110)
Under: 217.5 (-110)
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Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
Atlanta underperformed in every stat possible on Sunday. The Hawks shot 38.7 percent from the field. Also, Atlanta shot 27.8 percent from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Miami hit 52.4 percent of its shots and a whopping 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Hawks must improve their shots and make things more difficult for the Heat. Young is the factor here.
Young made just one shot in Game 1. The Law of Averages indicates that Game 2 will yield a much more successful result for him and the Hawks. Will it be enough? Gallinari and Collins have to step up, especially with Capela still out. The Hawks have to have secondary scoring options to relieve the pressure off Young. Moreover, Atlanta needs to convert on its shots and take better opportunities. The Hawks have to stop the Heat's scoring options. In Game 1, Robinson torched them. The only starter for the Heat that did not have a great game was Bam Adebayo. If Atlanta stops the rest, they must expect him to show up.
The Hawks will cover the spread if Young has a successful game. In addition, Atlanta covers if it hits shots from all over the field, and they dominate the battle on the boards to get some second chances. Lastly, the Hawks have to stop Robinson, Butler, Tucker, Lowry, and anyone on the Heat that might go off on them. Miami has a plethora of scoring options, so containing them will alter the flow of the game and assist Atlanta.
Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread
Miami is locked and loaded. In Game 2, the Heat hope to take a commanding lead by doing more of the same. Butler, Tucker, Lowry, and Adebayo are the surging starters that can destroy an opponent on any given day. Game 1 went well because the starters and the bench worked harmoniously in converting their opportunities. The Heat must continue this cycle and take the Hawks out of the game early.
Additionally, the Heat have to force Young into another awful game. Young is likely to convert more than one shot, but Miami could still make things difficult for him. The Miami bench excelled in Game 1, and another strong performance could give them the commanding lead they seek. The Heat won the rebounding battle 40-38 in Game 1. Miami can cover the spread if they improve on that area and take Atlanta off its game even when the Hawks hit shots.
The Heat will cover the spread if they continue to convert on their chances from the floor. Additionally, the bench must provide the support they did in Game 1. Dominating the boards would assist in Miami taking the spread. Lastly, the Heat must once again contain Young. Miami has to play spectacular defense and force Atlanta into awful shots.
Final Hawks-Heat Prediction & Pick
Were the Hawks that terrible without Capela or was it just an aberration? Game 2 will answer some of these questions as the Hawks try to bounce back from a disgusting defeat. However, the Heat appears focused and much healthier. The spread is small enough to be enticing. The Heat will win Game 2 to take a commanding series lead while covering.
Final Hawks-Heat Prediction & Pick: Heat: -7.5 (-112)
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