Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Eastern Conference Play-In final sees the Atlanta Hawks take on the Miami Heat. The winner will progress to the Play-Offs and face the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the losing side's season will come to an end. With the season series tied at 2:2, this decisive clash carries plenty of intrigue.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks snapped their six-game losing streak with a dominant 142:110 victory over the struggling Orlando Magic. Their defence, which ranked 27th in the league by conceding 119.3 points per game, failed to contain even one of the league’s least productive offences (105.4 points per game). Adding to their woes, the usually reliable offence collapsed, producing just 96 points — well below their season average of 118.2. Only Trae Young managed to score more than 20 points.
Miami Heat
The Heat showed composure and control in their 109:90 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Tyler Herro found form at the perfect time, putting up 38 points, while Bam Adebayo delivered a classic performance with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Heat also underlined why they boast the league’s seventh-ranked defence, capable of stifling even the most dynamic attacks. As a result, the Chicago Bulls were held to just 39.8% shooting from the field and a poor 10-of-37 from three-point range.
Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat Prediction
It is worth highlighting that the Miami Heat won the last two head-to-head encounters, with Tyler Herro playing a key role in both and currently in impressive form. However, the decisive edge is likely to come from experience — another area where the Miami Heat have the upper hand. Having reached the NBA Finals not long ago, the core of the team remains largely intact.
