The Hawks will try their hand at evening the season series against the Heat on Monday night after falling short in Miami just two days ago, losing 117-109 on Saturday night. Considering their preseason expectations, both of these Southeast Division squads have slightly disappointed this season, but they’re both still slated to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Both teams are focused on a strong finish to the regular season, looking to carry some momentum into what will be a tightly contested conference come playoff time.
Both clubs are slated to start in the play-in tournament, with the Heat currently the seventh seed and the Hawks just behind them in the eighth spot. Getting into the top six should be a priority for both since it’ll allow them to avoid facing Milwaukee or Boston in the first round. Atlanta needs these weeks with new head coach Quin Snyder to work out rotations and the coach’s new system, and if Snyder can get more consistency out of his top players, the Hawks will be a tough out come April.
Hawks vs. Heat Betting Odds
| Hawks | Heat | |
| Spread | +3 | -3 |
| Moneyline | +130 | -150 |
| Over/Under | 229 |
*Lines accurate at the time of publication
Hawks vs. Heat Best Bets
Hawks +3 (-110, DraftKings)
The Hawks dropped the Saturday night contest in Miami, but they got very little from Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Murray finished Saturday’s contest with just 10 points, shooting 3-for-14 from the field after scoring 41 points the night before against Portland. Young also struggled, shooting an uncharacteristic 2-13 from the field. Despite that, the Hawks were still in the game, falling down by 20 in the third quarter before climbing back in the fourth.
The Miami defense deserves credit here. They’re one of the best units in the league, but the Atlanta offense is too good to perform so poorly two games in a row, and Young and Murray are starting to get help from Saddiq Bey and De’Andre Hunter in the frontcourt, who are helping to shoulder a much-needed scoring load.
I’ll take the points at -110, but I think taking the Hawks on the moneyline at +130 or better is the play, if you can find it.
Risk: 1.1 units on DraftKings to win 1 unit. (Playable to -115)
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