Heat vs. Hawks Game 6 – One and Done

D-Wade, Desperate Heat Seek To Stave Off Elimination

The Miami Heat (45-42 SU, 42-43-2 ATS, 47-39-1 O/U) will be in desperation mode as they look to keep their 2008-09 season alive in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks (50-37 SU, 46-40-1 ATS, 40-45-2 O/U) when they square off at AmericanAirlines Arena tonight at 8 PM ET.

The Hawks spanked the Heat 106-91 on Wednesday to take a 3-2 series lead and were never challenged by the Heat after building a 23-point halftime lead.

The Hawks easily covered the spread for BetOnline NBA sports betting backers as 6-point home favorites just as I predicted for NBA betting members in the BetOnline Locker Room that day.

Veteran shooting guard Joe Johnson scored a team-high 25 points and reserve guard Flip Murray added 23 points off the bench as the final score played Over the set O/U total of 180 points.

All-star shooting guard Dwyane Wade led the Heat with a game-high 29 points while rookie forward Michael Beasley added 18 points off the bench.

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

The Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.

The Hawks are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.

The Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.

The Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Under is 4-0 in Hawks last 4 games as an underdog.

The Under is 6-1 in Heat last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Miami.

The Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.

The Hawks are 11-23 ATS in the last 34 meetings.

The Hawks are 4-13 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Miami.

NBA Odds

Atlanta Hawks +5 -110

Miami Heat -5 -110

Over 182½ -110

Under 182½ -110

Analysis: The Miami Heat have posted a solid 29-14 record at home this season, but will have their hands full in trying to slow down an Atlanta Hawks team that suddenly seems to have found itself after winning each of the last two games in this series convincingly, covering the spread for BetOnline Sportsbook NBA sports betting backers on each occasion.

While I think it’s very possible the heat could win and extend their 2008-09 season, I just don’t see them winning this contest by the six points it would take for them to cover the spread.

I like the Hawks to cover the spread while this game plays Under the set O/U total for the third consecutive game in Miami.

NBA Free Picks: Atlanta +5 Points/Under 182½ Total Points