Chief Editor
Loading ...
In the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament, the Miami Heat take on the Atlanta Hawks for a chance to secure the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Whoever emerges victorious will advance. Last season these teams met in the first round of the playoffs with Miami winning in five games.
Though much has changed since last year, many key players remain the same. In Miami, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler remain the two stars. While Adebayo was the only player to earn an All-Star selection this year, Butler has turned in an All-NBA season by averaging 22.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
Few players possess the potential for dominance like Butler in a winner-takes-all situation.
Trae Young leads the charge on Atlanta’s side of the ball, but he now has Dejounte Murray at his backcourt side to make things easier. They lead a talented lineup that also includes Clint Capela, John Collins and De’Andre Hunter.
Both the Heat and Hawks reached the Play-In Tournament after seasons filled with ups and downs. Miami suffered through many injuries throughout, yet is still one of the NBA’s most formidable teams. Atlanta has remained around.500 for months now but has found newfound direction since bringing on head coach Quin Snyder midseason.
The Heat won three of the four games between the teams this season. All four games were decided by less than ten points.
The pressure is far greater on Miami than on Atlanta, which may seem strange to some but this factor plays a significant role as Miami appears vulnerable at any given moment and the play-in tournament provides just that opportunity for them. Atlanta lost twice to Miami by just a single point, showing they know how to compete against their hosts; therefore, we will take the underdog side here and wager on their victory based on our hunch that this could be their moment.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.