Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks 4/22/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Matchup Preview (4/22/22)

The Miami Heat (2-0) travel to face the Atlanta Hawks (0-2) in Game 3 of the First Round on Friday night. Miami cruised to a 115-91 win in Game 1, but it was closer in Game 2. With 3:15 left in the 4th, the score was 104-101 Heat; however, they ended up winning 115-105. Jimmy Butler played one of his best games ever. He had 45 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals on 15/25 from the field and 4/7 from three. Max Strus chipped in 14 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals on 3/8 from three. Off the bench, Tyler Herro scored 15 points, while Gabe Vincent added 11. Bam Adebayo has yet to score 10+ points this series, but he’s been a key facilitator and defender. Kyle Lowry has also not contributed many points, yet he’s having an impact still. In NBA history, there has never been a playoff team that has recovered from a 3-0 deficit. If the Heat win Game 3, they should feel extremely comfortable about their situation. Miami will want to close it out early to get rested for the Second Round. 

The Hawks played better in Game 2, but they couldn’t compete in crunch time. Trae Young bounced back from a disastrous Game 1. He produced 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on 50 FG% and 20 3PT%. Bogdan Bogdanovic came off the bench and scored 29 points on 5/10 from three. John Collins had a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), while De’Andre Hunter chipped in 16 points. Atlanta was 2nd in 3PT% during the regular season, but they are struggling to connect on their deep attempts. In Game 1, they shot 27.8 3PT% on 36 attempts. In Game 2, the Hawks shot 30 3PT% on 40 attempts. Atlanta is also -8 in turnovers for the series, which doesn’t help their chances when they are shooting poorly.

Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds

The spread for Game 3 is -1 Heat, and I am all over the Heat covering this. Trae Young has repeatedly come up short against this ferocious Heat defense. The Hawks cannot defend Miami (or anyone for that matter) in the slightest. The spread is only -1 because Atlanta is a far better home team than away team. They were 27-14 (54-win pace) at home, and 16-25 (32-win pace) away during the regular season. I’m still going with the Heat because they can rely on their defense if they are not shooting well, and Atlanta cannot say the same. Jimmy Butler was shredding the Hawks all night, which is a concern because they don’t have a capable defender. Miami is too deep and too experienced for me not to ride with them. 

TV Schedule

Date: 4/22/22
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Arena: State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
Channel: ESPN

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Miami Heat Starting Lineup

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Max Strus
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat Analysis

Butler’s offense and defense were obliterating the Hawks, and that’s not going to change. For the series, he is averaging 33 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 2.5 SPG on a 60/55/68 shooting split. He only has 3 turnovers in two games also, which is impressive considering his 32.3 usage percentage. Butler’s driving has gotten him to the charity stripe, as he’s taken 19 FTA so far. Overall, this series has been perfect for Butler. Herro, on the other hand, has struggled to make an impact. He’s averaging 10.5 PPG, 4 RPG, and 3.5 APG on a bad 36/12/100 shooting split. Gabe Vincent has outplayed Herro off the bench, but Herro will bounce back from this cold streak. 

Bam Adebayo has to get more involved on the offensive end. He’s averaging 7.5 PPG on 5.5 FGA, which is far below his season average. Onyeka Okongwu is a decent defender with potential, but he is still raw. Adebayo has to find a way to punish the Hawks in the paint because this will bring balance to the offense. His aggression will also potentially force Onyeka into foul trouble, and Atlanta cannot lose his interior defense. 

Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup

PG: Trae Young
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: Danilo Gallinari
C: Onyeka Okongwu

Atlanta Hawks Analysis

The leading scorer for the Hawks is … Bogdan Bogdanovic. Surprised? He’s scoring 17.5 PPG on 46.2 FG% and 35.7 3PT%. Trae Young, meanwhile, is averaging 16.5 PPG on a horrible 34.4 FG% and 11.8 3PT%. He has 16 turnovers compared to only 11 assists. The Hawks have no chance of winning this series if Young continues to play poorly. The problem for Atlanta is that there is nobody to target in the Heat starting lineup. Butler, Tucker, and Adebayo are all elite defenders, while Lowry and Strus are solid. Bam is shutting down Atlanta’s pick and roll, which is their bread and butter. The Heat, on the other hand, can target Young, Huerter, and Gallinari on defense. 

If the Hawks are going to steal a game, it’s going to be because of three-point shooting. They were 2nd in 3PT% (Miami was 1st), so the ability is there. Young, Huerter, Bogdanovic, and Gallinari could all make four threes each, and it wouldn’t surprise me. The Heat defenders are tenacious, so they will have to get creative with their picks and ball movement.