2009 NBA Playoffs Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks: Last season, the Atlanta Hawks were one of those sleeper-teams which caught many people by surprise especially in the NBA Playoffs. This season, however, the Hawks couldn’t fly under the radar any more but they embraced the challenge, clinching the 4th seed and finishing 12 games over .500.
The Miami Heat have relied heavily on 2009 scoring champion, Dwayne Wade, who carried this team to a 43-39 mark, and the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. 
Tonight, these teams collapse in what should be a very entertaining opening round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 8 PM ET (5 PM PT) and it can be seen live on TNT-Sports.
2009 NBA Playoffs odds-making experts at BodogLife.com are geared up for this year’s postseason with the best Sports Odds on the Internet. Visit them today, and become part of what promises to be a historic 2009 NBA Playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks [-4½] have been listed as the Sports Odds favorites to win tonight’s game against the visiting Miami Heat [+4½] by just over two buckets.
What makes this series so exciting? How about the matchup between, Dwayne Wade (30.2 ppg) and Joe Johnson, (21.5 ppg)? After making a great case for league MVP, Wade now has to deal with a very dangerous Hawks team with Joe Johnson in the forefront. The OVER/UNDER for this, 2009 NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks, has been set at a combined total of 186 points.
One thing that Atlanta can hang its hat on going into this series against the Heat, is the fact that they have played Wade terrifically on the defensive end. Against the Hawks, the product of Marquette averaged nearly five fewer points (25.7) than his season average by keeping him off the charity stripe. Wade attempted 18 freebies, the lowest total against any team the Heat played at least three times this season.
