The Miami Heat may have won three of their last five games, but the club is on an absolutely brutal losing streak against the spread lately. It got worse on Monday night — much to the delight of a betting public that heavily favored the Atlanta Hawks (+2.5).
Let’s cut right to the end of the game.
Jimmy Butler draws a foul from Dejounte Murray with 1.4 seconds remaining and the Heat leading by three. Butler sinks both free throws to put Miami up by five because of course he does. And because the Heat are cursed when it comes to covering the spread, Murray gets his revenge with barely any time left on the clock.
Atlanta inbounds the ball, Murray is left wide open and Atlanta bettors everywhere rejoice.
Hawks +3.5 CTP pick never in doubt! Heat are now 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games after an ATS cover and 7-21-2 ATS as a home favorite this season. https://t.co/7bJIJAf82U
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) March 7, 2023
Naturally, it was Murray’s first make in six attempts from behind the arc all night.
According to public betting data at Action Network, 51% of bets and 83% of the money wagered had the Hawks covering in Miami on Monday. Murray’s meaningless shot was exactly what they needed.
It was about time Atlanta got some luck against the spread, too. The Hawks are 28-36 ATS on the season with 14 covers each at home and the road.
Miami, meanwhile, falls to a league-worst 23-39-3 ATS.