The Miami Heat took Game 1 with a 115-91 win before going up 2-0 with a 115-105 win in Game 2. The series now shifts to Georgia, where the Atlanta Hawks will look to cut the deficit in half. Check out our preview below of this Heat vs. Hawks 2022 NBA Playoffs matchup.
The Heat are dominating Atlanta., wth Jimmy Butler showing the way. Butler has seemingly activated his MVP mode in the playoffs, as he’s been simply unstoppable so far in the first round against Atlanta. Through two games, Butler has averaged 33.0 points on 55.6 percent shooting from the field. He is also dropping 4.5 dimes and 5.5 rebounds a game. In Game 2, Butler stuffed the stat sheets with 45 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in 39 minutes. Also playing big roles in Miami’s success is its immense defense and excellent outside shooting. The Heat are holding Atlanta to only 43.2 percent shooting from the field and 28.9 percent from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Miami is connecting on 43.2 percent of their 3-pointers, with Butler, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson making serious damage from the outside.
The Heat are 8-1 against the spread in their last 9 games overall.
It’s not too late yet for the Hawks, who are finally going to take their turn to play as the home team this Friday night. While Game 2’s loss was a punch to the gut for the Hawks, they at least shot better from the field than in the series opener, draining 47.1 percent of their attempts. They just need to cut down on their errors, as Atlanta now has 37 turnovers after two games in the series. Trae Young scored 25 points on 10/20 shooting in Game 2 but had 10 turnovers, with Miami’s defense putting a target on his back. The likes of Kevin Huerter, Bogdan Bogdanovic will have to produce early to spread Miami’s defense in Game 3. Bogdanovic is cominf off a sensational 29-point performance in Game 2m draining 12 of 18 shots from the floor.
The Hawks are 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 home games.
