2009 NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Game 5

Written by Scott Burgess

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

Dwayne Wade and his Miami Heat had a poor outing in Game 4 losing 71-81 to the Atlanta Hawks. Tonight, April 29, a semi-rested Wade hopes to get his Miami Heat a win, in Atlanta, as the Heat and Hawks square off the Eastern Conference playoffs. Atlanta leads the Heat 5-3 this season with the best of seven series tied 2-2. NBA oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Hawks as -6 point home favs over the Heat with the over/under listed at 179 points. Get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Pick in now at SBGglobal.com

The Heat’s Dwayne Wade was bothered by back spasms in Game 4 which netted him 22pts after making 9 of 26 from the field. In the first three playoff games Wade averaged 27 ppg. He sat out practice, but vowed to play in Game 5. His back injury clearly affected Wade's lift on his jump shots and ability to drive around defenders. The Hawks' defense was sturdy enough against Wade, who averaged a league-best 30.2 points during the regular season. But Wade has averaged 27 points and five turnovers in this series. His field-goal percentage and free throw attempts are down from his season averages. Jermaine O’Neal picked up the slack with 20pts, while James Jones added 19pts. They led only one quarter, which was the second quarter outscoring the Hawks 25-22. As a team they made 23 of 61 (37.7%) from the field, 4 of 16 (25%) from the arch and 21 of 28 (75%) at the line. The Hawks didn’t put on a shooting clinic, it was more the Heat shot the shits!

The Hawks have found a new unsung hero in Zaza Pachulia. A postseason ago, Pachulia fired up Atlanta by going forehead-to-forehead with Boston All-Star Kevin Garnett, showing his underdog team had no intention of backing down to the eventual champion Celtics in a series that surprisingly went the full seven games. In Game 4, Pachulia may have saved this season for the Hawks with his gritty performance. Getting down and dirty and sporting a black eye for extra effect he scored 12 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a game the Hawks had to win. "I don't care how Dwyane Wade shot or how Miami played or how we played, we don't win that game without Zaza. Period," said Atlanta forward Marvin Williams, who's missed the last two contests with an ailing wrist and is questionable for Game 5 Wednesday night. "He was phenomenal. What he did for our team was huge." They’d be better off to keep Williams sidelined. They’ll need the same type of game out of Pachulia if they want to win tonight’s game. In Game 4 the Hawks made 28 of 66 (42.4%) from the field, 5 of 14 (35.7%) from the arch and 20 of 26 (76.9%) from the line. Josh Smith leads the Hawks averaging 16.5 ppg in the playoffs, while Mike Bibby is good for 14 ppg and Joe Johnson 13.5 ppg.

Recent Trends to Consider:

Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Atlanta.
Heat are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Atlanta.
Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. loss.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.

2009 NBA Playoffs Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks
When: Wed, April 29, 2009 10:00 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
Pick: Heat +6

Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks

The Bottom Line: It depends on Wade's back, but he’s not one to quit. He’;s played injured before and they have the best medical staff in the business. Go Heat! Get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks Pick in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 60% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit