This Saturday, the Atlanta Hawks will travel to Miami, FL, to play the Miami Heat. The game will start at 8:00 PM EST at the Miami-Dade Arena. This will be the third time during the regular season that these two teams play each other. The Hawks won the last time they played, 121-113.
Hawks vs. Heat injuries: 2 Questionable, 1 Out
At the moment, the Atlanta Hawks are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, 14 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks. They average 116.9 points per game on offense and have shot 47.9% from the floor. This is the 11th best shooting percentage and the eighth most points scored per game. The Hawks have the 12th best adjusted offensive rating in the NBA, according to dunksandthrees.com.
Trae Young is still the best offensive player, as he scores 27.1 points per game and makes 42.9% of his shots from the floor.
Before Friday’s game, Trae Young had some trouble with his groin, but it looks like he’ll be fine for today’s game.
In his last three games, he’s scored more than 30 points each time, averaging 33 points, 8 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1 steal in 33.3 minutes.
Atlanta has also shown that it is hard for them to make shots from behind the 3-point line. They have only made 35.3% of their three-point shots, which is the 19th lowest percentage. The Atlanta Hawks have made 81.9% of their free throws, which is the fourth-highest percentage in the league.
Injury reports: None.
The Miami Heat are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference right now, 12.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks, who are in first place. Also, in the last 10 games they played, they went (4-6).
They average 107.8 points per game on offense and have shot 45% from the field. This is the second-lowest number of points scored per game and the second-lowest percentage of shots made by a team. The Heat have the 26th best adjusted offensive rating in the NBA, according to dunksandthrees.com.
Jimmy Butler is still the best offensive player on the court. He scores 21.8 points per game and makes 52% of his shots from the field. Check the report of injuries, though. He hurt his knee and isn’t sure if he will be able to play.
In 33 minutes, Butler scored 33 points (7-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 18-20 FT), had eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals as the Knicks beat them 122-120 on Friday.
Butler was listed as “questionable” on Friday because his right knee hurt. Since the Heat play again on Saturday against the Hawks, this is something to keep an eye on. Since Jan. 24, Butler hasn’t missed any action, and he might be due for a maintenance day soon.
Miami has also shown that when they attack the basket, they do much better. They have only shot 33.2% from three-point range, which is the 28th-worst mark in the league. Lucky for them, they have been very good at the free throw line, making 82.6% of their shots there.
This is the second-highest free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA, because they can’t miss these free points and still win games.
Injury reports: Jimmy Butler SG (Knee) s questionable. Kyle Lowry PG (Knee), Omer Yurtseven C (Ankle), and Nikola Jovic SF (Back) are out.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that Lowry (knee) will not be able to play against the Hawks on Saturday. This was said by Hawks coach Erik Spoelstra on Friday.
Lowry will not play for the Heat on Friday or Saturday because his left knee hurts. Gabe Vincent should stay in the starting lineup even though he won’t be there. Lowry hasn’t played since Feb. 2, but Monday’s game against Atlanta will be his next chance to suit up.
Jovic, on the other hand, hasn’t played since Dec. 29 because he hurt his back.
