Hawks Looking To Sweep Heat

As we enter the final days of the NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks are still standing tall on top of the Eastern Conference. With 10 games left and an eight-game lead over second-place Cleveland, the magic number is two wins for the Hawks to clinch the No. 1 seed in the East.

That can sealed up as early as later Friday evening if the Cavs lose their game to Brooklyn and Atlanta knocks off the Heat.

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The Miami Heat come to Phillips Arena currently in seventh place in the conference with Boston, Indiana and Brooklyn all in striking distance. If the Heat slip, this game could serve as a possible first-round preview.

The Heat come to Atlanta wounded as several players are injured including franchise star Dwyane Wade. Along with Wade, forward Chris Anderson and center Hassan Whiteside missed the team’s previous game against Boston. As of now Wade and Anderson are listed as questionable for the contest Friday night against our Hawks and Whiteside is labeled as doubtful.

So Miami will rely on trade deadline pick-up Goran Dragic to carry a lot of the load. Dragic held the fort down against Boston, leading the shorthanded team to victory with 22 points and seven assists.

Atlanta is fresh off a big win against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night which snapped a three-game skid for Coach Mike Budenholzer’s team. That was the longest losing streak of the season for the team. Atlanta returns to the safe confines of Phillips Arena, where they are 30-5 this season and are playing a team that they have not had much trouble beating this season.

With a win tonight the Hawks can complete a season sweep of the Heat.

The Hawks will expect a lot from the usual suspects. Guard Jeff Teague will look to give the team from beach fits again, as he had 27 points and six assists in his last meeting with Miami. With Miami injured up front expect All Stars Paul Milsap and Al Horford to take advantage and limit the Heat’s opportunities on the glass.

The Hawks are in good position to lock up the Eastern Conference top spot and still in striking distance of the overall best record in the league. A win tonight against a potential playoff team would make a really strong statement.

Prediction: Hawks 97 Heat 88

Game Info

Date: March 27, 2015

Tip Off: 7:30 p.m.

TV Channel: Fox SportsSouth / NBA League Pass

Radio: In Atlanta: 92.9 The Game

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