Heat and Hawks Game 4 – No Answers for O’Neal

Wade, O’Neal, Look To Give Heat Commanding 3-1 Lead Over Reeling Hawks

The Miami Heat (45-40 SU, 42-41-2 ATS, 46-38-1 O/U) will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Atlanta Hawks (48-37 SU, 44-40-1 ATS, 39-44-2 O/U) when the two division rivals meet at American Airlines Arena in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.

The Heat routed the struggling Hawks for the second consecutive game to win Game 3 107-78 and easily cover the spread in the BetOnline Sportsbook as 4-point home favorites.

All-star shooting guard Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 29 points to go along with seven rebounds and eight assists as the 185 combined points played Under the posted O/U total of 187 points.

Rejuvenated former all-star center Jermaine O’Neal, who has torched the Hawks in this series, added a double-double with 22 points with 10 rebounds for the Heat. O’Neal has scored 41 points and 16 rebounds over the last two games, befuddling the Hawks at every turn

Young center Al Horford scored a team-high 13 points for the Hawks in a losing effort.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

• The Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
• The Hawks are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• The Heat are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
• The Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
• The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Miami.
• The Hawks are 9-23 ATS in the last 32 meetings.
• The Hawks are 3-13 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Miami.

NBA Odds

• Atlanta Hawks +4½ -110
• Miami Heat -4½ -110
• Over 185 -110
• Under 185 -110

Analysis: I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the Atlanta Hawks are struggling so mightily after failing to find any real continuity during the 82-game regular season.

The fact of the matter now is that the Atlanta Hawks have had absolutely no answer for defending Miami’s Jermaine O’Neal in the paint and just don’t seem to have a player on their roster capable of stopping him and his blossoming confidence.

The Heat have hit their collective stride at the exact right moment and will win tonight’s home game fueled by their boisterous home crowd and two more fine performances from Wade and O’Neal, not to mention a better showing in this contest from rookie forward Michael Beasley.

Take the Heat to cover the spread while this game plays over the set O/U total.

NBA Free Picks: Miami heat -4½ Points/Over 185 Total Points