Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Philips Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat travel to Philips Arena to play the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Heat head into this matchup with a mark of 15-14. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.9 as they are averaging 100.1 points per contest while giving up 102.0 per game. The Hawks have an overall mark of 6-23. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 103.1 points per contest and giving up 108.7, which is a point differential of -5.6.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 11-16-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 9-18-2 against the over/under

Important Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 15-13-1 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 16-13-0 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/16/17 F James Johnson Ankle left last game, is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
12/16/17 F Justise Winslow Knee is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
11/30/17 C Hassan Whiteside Knee is out indefinitely

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

12/11/17 F Mike Muscala Ankle is out indefinitely
11/29/17 C Dewayne Dedmon Tibia is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 16.6 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.4 assists per contest and 4 rebounds per game for Miami. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%. Dion Waiters comes into this contest averaging 14.5 points per game while playing 31 minutes per night so far this season for the Heat. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is currently at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Taurean Waller-Prince averages 12.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 74%. Dennis Schroder averages 19.7 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest this year for the Hawks. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 6.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat allow 102 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they give up 19.9 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league. Miami averages 100.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 40.9 rebounds per game and 21.1 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 15.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hawks surrender 108.7 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26.2 assists allowed per contest, and 24th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawks are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game this season. Atlanta is 20th in the league with 103.1 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -5.55. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 39.7 boards per game and 5th in assists per contest with 23.6. The Hawks are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 19th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA. Miami is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 24th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 7th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the NBA. The Hawks are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 111.2, and their offensive rating of 105.5 is ranked 2nd. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Heat/Hawks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Atlanta

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald