Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat December 28th 2024

Today at 3:00 ET, the Miami Heat (15-13) will travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks (16-15) in a Southeast Division matchup. The Hawks are currently favored by 2 points, and the over/under line is set at 225.

Both teams come into this game riding 2-game win streaks. Miami is 6th in the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta is 7th.

Heat vs. Hawks Key Information

Miami improved to 15-13 this season after a narrow 89-88 win over the Magic on Thursday. The Heat, who were +1 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The game’s total score of 177 points was well under the O/U line of 208.5.

Orlando jumped out to a 16-0 lead early, but Miami chipped away and took control in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Magic 28-17 to complete the comeback.

In their 89-88 win over the Magic, the Heat shot 40.8% from the field, but connected on 15 threes at a 50% clip. Tyler Herro led the way with 20 points, hitting 3 threes at 50%, while Alec Burks added 17 points, making all 3 of his attempts from deep.

Burks scored 11 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Herro added 7 in the final period. Jaime Jaquez also contributed 7 of his 15 points in the 3rd quarter, and Terry Rozier scored 7 of his 14 points in the 4th.

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Despite a rough start, the Heat’s defense tightened up, allowing just 57 points over the final three quarters to secure an 89-88 win over the Magic. Miami gave up 31 points in the 1st quarter but responded by allowing 21 in the 2nd, 19 in the 3rd, and just 17 in the 4th.

The Heat’s perimeter defense was outstanding, holding Orlando to just 5 made threes on 17% shooting. Miami also recorded 14 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

The Hawks improved to 16-15 on the season with a 141-133 win over the Bulls on Thursday. Atlanta, who were favored by 5 points, covered the spread at home. The game’s total of 274 points easily surpassed the O/U line of 241.5.

Chicago went on a 10-0 run early, but Atlanta stormed back, outscoring the Bulls 50-25 in the 4th quarter after trailing 108-91. The Hawks’ huge final quarter not only completed the comeback but also secured the win.

The Hawks put up 141 points in their win over the Bulls, shooting 51.7% from the field and hitting 17 threes at a 37.8% clip. Jalen Johnson led the way with 30 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 68.8%, while Trae Young added 27 points and 13 assists, knocking down 4 threes.

Johnson scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, but it was Young who really shined late, putting up 16 points in the final period. De’Andre Hunter added 8 of his 25 points in the 4th, and Zaccharie Risacher also contributed 8 points in the final frame.

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Even with a rough defensive performance, the Hawks managed to come out on top against the Bulls, giving up 133 points on 54% shooting. Atlanta allowed 33 points in the 1st quarter, 31 in the 2nd, and a whopping 44 in the 3rd, but they tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 25 points.

The Hawks struggled to defend the three-point line, where the Bulls hit 22 threes at a 51% clip. Atlanta sent Chicago to the free-throw line just 6 times, where they made 5. The Hawks finished with 32 defensive rebounds, allowing 9 offensive boards, while also recording 9 steals and 5 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Hawks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 127-112. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -2.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 225, and our model predicts the Heat and Hawks to score a combined 239 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Heat Aim to Display ‘Grit’ in Clash Against Resilient Hawks

The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks enter Saturday’s matchup in Atlanta riding the momentum of two consecutive victories, each secured in dramatic fashion. Miami eked out an 89-88 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday, while Atlanta rallied from a 21-point deficit to topple the Chicago Bulls 141-133.

Heat Rely on Grit and Heroics

The Heat’s narrow escape against Orlando was a testament to their resilience. Despite a dismal start, falling behind 14-0, Miami clawed its way back, highlighted by Tyler Herro’s game-winning jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining.

“That’s why you have to develop grit,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The ultimate deal is just find a way to win — and sometimes that gets lost.”

Herro has been a consistent bright spot for Miami this season, averaging a career-high 23.8 points along with 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He has been especially effective against the Hawks, torching them for 30, 25, and 33 points in their meetings last season.

Bam Adebayo has also been a thorn in Atlanta’s side, averaging 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in 23 career games against the Hawks. He will look to exploit an Atlanta frontcourt that is thin on depth with backup Onyeka Okongwu sidelined for a fifth straight game due to left knee soreness.

Hawks Thrive on Resilience

Atlanta showcased its resilience Thursday with an explosive fourth quarter, scoring 50 points to erase a significant deficit against the Bulls. Trae Young led the charge, finishing with 29 points and 13 assists while surpassing 11,000 career points.

“That just shows the resilience we have on our team and how we’re not going to quit,” Young said. “This shows how good our team is when we play the right way.”

Young has historically been productive against the Heat, averaging 22.2 points and 8.7 assists in 19 career matchups. He missed two games against Miami last season but scored 27 and 30 in the contests he played.

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Atlanta has also received strong contributions from De’Andre Hunter (20.3 points per game) and Jalen Johnson (19.8 points and 10.3 rebounds). However, the Hawks may once again be without key reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is nursing a left lower leg contusion.

Injury Notes and Key Matchups

Miami remains shorthanded with Jimmy Butler’s status uncertain after he missed two games due to a stomach illness. The Heat are also without Pelle Larsson (ankle). Atlanta continues to monitor Okongwu’s and Bogdanovic’s injuries, leaving their rotation thin.

The game will be the final contest of Atlanta’s four-game homestand before embarking on a six-game road trip through the Western Conference. Miami will aim to capitalize on its defensive intensity and Herro’s clutch scoring, while Atlanta looks to ride the momentum of their high-powered offense and Young’s leadership.

Both teams will need their stars to shine in what promises to be a competitive and compelling Eastern Conference battle.