Die Another Day – Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

Does anybody remember the showdown between Allen Iverson and Vince Carter in the 2001 Playoffs? The seven-game thriller saw The Answer and VC15 break their backs trying to out duel each other…until they both got to Game 7. In that game, Vince and Allen Iverson became dishing monsters, trying to kick the rock out at any and all times. If the Heat are going to keep up with the trio from the Dirty Dirty, Wade must do the same.

The Flash has been posting 26.4 points and 6.2 assists per game, but he simply can not take the responsibility of the win on to his lone shoulders. Gordon has Rose. Pierce has Allen. Wade must exercise more faith in his teammates.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

Friday, May 1st — AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami — 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Miami -5 (182.5)

Jermaine O’Neal is averaging just 16.0 points and 5.4 rebounds. After that, the drop off in production is nauseating. James Jones has 10.0 points per game, and after that it’s all single digits. Wade can not do this alone, especially with Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford hitting their stride in due course.

NBA Betting Trends

-Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

-The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games

-Atlanta is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games on the road

-Atlanta is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Miami

-Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami

-The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 9 games when playing Miami

-Miami is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home

-Miami is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home

-The total has gone OVER in 10 of Miami’s last 15 games at home

The series leans in Atlanta’s favor, and after a rough beatdown at the hands of the Hawks in Game 5, I fully expect Wade and the Heat to figure out how to be more effective. Three-point shooting has killed the Heat in this series, but regardless Wade has to trust his teammates. Get Dequan Cook more involved. Trust Jermaine O’Neal. Get Beasley involved. All superstars are measured on how good they inevitably make their teammates. Wade is working with a lot of low cards in his hand, but bank on him making the most of them with his back against the wall.

NBA Betting Line: Miami -5 (OVER)