NBA Playoffs Betting - Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks

It's NBA playoffs betting time and many NBA bettors who were backing the Miami Heat recognized that they blew a golden opportunity to get a leg up in their series against the Atlanta Hawks. On Wednesday night Miami will travel to Atlanta for Game 5 of this best-of-seven, as NBA pro basketball playoff betting action tips off at 8 PM ET at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

Here is the NBA basketball betting line according to BetUS Sportsbook: ATLANTA -5.5, Total 180

Here are some of the NBA betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* MIA has covered five of its last seven games
* MIA has covered five of its last seven road games
* MIA has lost 10 of its last 14 road games SU
* ATL has covered two of its last seven games
* ATL has played five of its last six games UNDER the total
* ATL has covered two of its last nine home games
* ATL has won four of its last six home games SU
* ATL has played five of its last six home games UNDER the total

Also...

* MIA has covered 15 of the last 22 meetings
* MIA has won 17 of the last 26 meetings SU
* Seven of the last eight meetings have gone UNDER the total
* MIA has covered eight of the last 11 meetings as the road team
* ATL has won five of the last six meetings SU as the home team
* Seven of the last eight meetings in Atlanta have gone UNDER the total
* ATL has had the shooting edge in four of the last six meetings
* MIA has made more three-pointers in five of the last seven meetings

Miami just stopped scoring on Monday night. The Heat had scored 108 and 107 points in Games Two and Three, then shot just 38% and dropped an 81-71 decision to the Hawks. Miami had made 27 three-point shots over the previous two contests, but only four in Game 4. As they say, you live by the three and you die by the three. Dwyane Wade bombed, as he was one for eight from beyond the arc, nine of 26 overall and turned the ball over four times. Miami had a "Big Three" in this one, as Jermaine O'Neal scored 20 and James Jones had 19, but the rest of the team chipped in just ten points, only two of those from the bench. Erik Spoelstra seems to be following Pat Riley's practice of making the bench irrelevant, and I'm wondering whether that is a mistake.

Atlanta once again got nice balance. Four starters were in double figures, as were two of the second unit players - Zach Pachulia and Flip Murray. The Hawks didn't shoot all that well in the game (42%), but they rebounded a little better, played better defense, and were fresher.

The big disappointment, it seems, is Joe Johnson, who has shot just 38% in the series, averaging 13.8 ppg. Johnson is bothered a but by an ankle injury, but he tallied over 21 points a game during the regular season, and he has to be seen as the "hidden upside" that can make a difference in this series that is tied at two apiece. Coach Mike Woodson told the Atlanta Constitution, “The thing is, we’ve been able to sustain with him being mediocre. To me, that’s great.”

There's a good point to be made there. If he rises to the occasion, this would give Atlanta a big boost and a big edge over its opponent. However, he has to break out and produce the best way he knows how - in the scoring column. He has been double-teamed, but since the Hawks, as mentioned, are showing some balance, there might be a way for the things to loosen up for him.

Oh by the way, the Hawks could also use something better from Josh Smith as well. Smith, who had 23 points in Game 1, has shot only eight for 28 over the last two. Like I said, there's some upside there, and as long as Miami's bench doesn't turn into a secret weapon, and the Heat doesn't suddenly get red-hot from beyond the arc again, Atlanta ought to be alright. We'll lay the points with the Hawks, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Our pick: ATLANTA -5.5

Charles Jay makes his share of shots from the top of the key as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room. Check out the current NBA lines and bet on all 8 first-round series now. Enjoy home court advantage with BetUS - America's favorite sports betting site.