Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
After losing on Monday night, the Miami Heat are aiming to secure a win at home against the Atlanta Hawks (86:98). With both teams separated by a single win in the standings, we consider this match particularly important.
Miami Heat
Following the departure of Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat must work diligently to improve their performance. They have focused on defence and integrating young players into their system. In particular, rookie centre Kel’el Ware has started the last 15 games. His partnership with Bam Adebayo has reinforced their presence in the paint, limiting opponents to 104.4 points per 100 possessions during their 255 minutes on the court.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have shown notable improvement from recent seasons. Their defensive rating has risen from 27th place last season to 15th this season. While previous high-scoring matches—such as against the New York Knicks (148:149) and Detroit Pistons (143:148)—appear exceptional, their recent game against the Miami Heat reflected a more consistent performance. The team can adapt to a fast-paced game, but against squads with strong interior defence, high-scoring games occur less frequently.
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
The last meeting between these teams in December resulted in a 120:110 victory for the Atlanta Hawks, with frontcourt players Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter performing well. However, with Jalen Johnson ruled out for the season and De’Andre Hunter now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hawks may face difficulties in the paint. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have struggled to score, leading us to expect another low-scoring match.
