NBA Tuesday Night: Heat Too Hot for Hawks
The Miami Heat are up 3-1 in the Round 1 playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks. Here's why tonight should be the end of the Hawks season, while the Heat advance into the second round.
The Miami Heat host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night as they look to advance into the second round after taking a commanding 3-1 series lead with a dominant Game 4 win on the road.
The Heat will again be without starting point guard and key offseason acquisition Kyle Lowry (who also missed Game 4). But their tough defence has continued to shine in his absence. The Hawks are averaging just 98 PPG in four games. That won't win a series against a talented team like the Heat.
Miami has held the Hawks offense in check. Their star player Trae Young has had two of his worst performances all season in the first four games of this series. In 76 regular-season games, Young scored at least 13 points all but one time, but in four playoff games, he has scored nine or fewer points twice.
Miami’s defense has completely smothered Young, which likely means their most potent weapon is neutralized. Remember that Young led the entire NBA in both points and assists during the regular season, but he’s been well under average against the Heat – scoring just 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
Even worse for the Hawks' chances in Game 5, Atlanta has not been good on the road this season. All three Heat wins in this series were by double digits.
Laying -6.5 at SPREADS.CA (up to -7.5 in some places) looks like a bargain.
We are all over the Heat to close out tonight's playoff series with a win an cover.
