Miami hosts Atlanta in Attempt to Take Southeast Division Lead
Sunday evening an Eastern Conference showdown tips off from American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, as the Miami Heat hosts the Atlanta Hawks. The current line has yet to be released, by check here for all your latest odds before tipoff.
Atlanta entering this game has an overall record on the season of 27-21 straight up and 23-24 against the spread. On the road, the Hawks are 12-13 SU and 11-13 ATS. Miami on the season has a record of 26-21 SU and 23-23 ATS. At home, the Heat is 15-9 SU and 11-12 ATS.
Last season, Atlanta was undefeated during January when it won 60 games during the regular season. However, this January things are different. Atlanta is 6-8 entering the last day of the month, and Paul Millsap the team’s high scorer was injured in Thursday’s loss to Indiana
Despite struggling of late, Atlanta maintains a lead of a ½-game over Miami in the Southeast Division. Miami has won three straight overall. The Heat defeated Milwaukee on the road Friday night by 4 points in their most recent outing. Veteran guard Dwayne Wade has averaged over 25 points per game the past four games.
The status of Millsap is uncertain for Sunday, which is one of the reason’s odds makers are waiting to release a line on this game. Millsap leads the Hawks both in scoring at 18 per game and in rebounding at 8.8 per game. The Hawks are 1-8 this month when scoring 101 or fewer points.
Goran Dragic Miami’s starting point guard scored 12 points Friday when he returned from missing nine games due to an injured calf.
Josh McDaniel a Miami forward also returned after missing 26 games with a knee injury.
Chris Bosh has averaged 20.5 points per game during January and earned a spot for the 11th straight season on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
The UNDER has cashed in each of the past 4 games between the two teams.
Atlanta is 3-0-1 against the number in its past 4 games played in Miami.
Miami is 1-7-1 against the number in its past 9 games versus Atlanta.
Miami comes into this matchup playing much better that Atlanta and will have added incentive to win and take the lead by a half game in the NBA Southeast Division. Take the Heat to win this one, as Atlanta continues to struggle, especially without Millsap being 100% if he plays.
