Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks Game Four Preview

The Heat lead the series 2-1.

Pat Benson | Apr 24, 2022

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Heat at Hawks Scouting Report

Preview

We used to dream of moments like this. Tonight, the Hawks host the Heat in front of a sellout crowd with an opportunity to tie the series 2-2. After months of complacency, the Hawks can now turn the series on its head and shake up the basketball world. Besides the two Play-In games, this is the most important contest of the season.

Friday night's comeback victory can join recent Hawks lore (Game 7 Kevin, Trae bowing in Madison Square Garden, etc.) if this team can build off the momentum. Although the Hawks play well at home, winning 21 of their last 24 games, defeating a dynamic team like the Heat is never easy.

Needed a stop, got a stop. pic.twitter.com/DKx3vSA1pX
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 23, 2022

Winning Game Four will come down to - you guessed it - defense. The Hawks have been unable to slow down the Heat's perimeter attack. Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro gave the Hawks fits through three games.

However, with Clint Capela possibly returning (more on that below), the Hawks can regain their edge on the boards and reinforce their defense which has been held together by tape and gum. Couple that with the All-Star point guard Trae Young becoming more acclimated with the defensive schemes he's facing, and the Hawks have a real shot at winning a meaningful game - a scenario they have wished for all season.

Odds

SI Sportsbook lists the Heat as 1.5-point favorites and the over/under is at 220.5 points. This year, the Hawks are 5-3 as home underdogs (yeah, they're favored at home in that many games) compared to an awful 11-23 as road underdogs. Do with that information what you will.

Injury Report

The Heat injury report lists Kyle Lowry (hamstring strain), Bam Adebayo (quad), P.J. Tucker (calf), and Caleb Martin (ankle) as questionable to play. Gabe Vincent (toe) is probable.

The squad spent the afternoon in Atlanta looking back at Game 3 and preparing for tomorrow night.

Coach Spo and @Klow7 provided updates on Kyle's hamstring strain (questionable for Game 4) pic.twitter.com/rmGeDOA0JS
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 23, 2022

The Hawks injury report lists Clint Capela (right knee hyperextension) as questionable and Lou Williams (low back discomfort) as out. Yesterday, we took a look inside Capela's injury recovery.

Uniforms

Thanks to NBA LockerVision, we know what each team will be wearing so you can plan your gear accordingly. The Hawks will wear their Statement Edition (black) uniforms, while the Heat wear their Association Edition (white) uniforms.

Television, Streaming

Trae Young smiles during a post-game interview in Atlanta. — Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks TV Broadcast: Bally Sports Southeast

Heat TV Broadcast: Bally Sports Sun

National Broadcast: TNT

Live Stream: Click here for fuboTV free trial!

Good morning all! Can't wait for Game 4 tonight! We've got the game @HawksonBally 630e/530c with @DWilkins21 @laurenjbara @TreavorScales @BrianOliver1313 @ReneeMontgomery @ATLHawks @MiamiHEAT
— Bob Rathbun (@BobRathbunTV) April 24, 2022

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Published Apr 24, 2022

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the Atlanta Hawks for Sports Illustrated's All Hawks. He has covered the NBA for several years and is the author of "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)".