Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade won’t be the only high-flyers in South Beach tonight, as Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks come into town to face off against the Miami Heat. Atlanta is off to a good start at 3-1, but not as good as the Heat, who are still undefeated. These two teams could realistically match up again in a seven-game series come playoff time.

Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fla.

When: Monday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. EST

Watch: Sun Sports, NBA League Pass

Listen: 680 The Fan, NBA League Pass Audio 

Betting Line: Miami -10, according to ESPN.com.

Key Injuries

ESPN reports that for the Hawks, Zaza Pachulia is day-to-day, but hasn’t missed a game this season. Kirk Hinrich is out with a shoulder injury.

On the Heat, Dwyane Wade is day-to-day with a bruised foot, but like Pachulia, will play.

What’s At Stake?

For the Heat, their undefeated record and five-game winning streak is at stake. And with all of the hype surrounding Miami, every loss is magnified, especially if it’s to a contender like the Hawks.

For Atlanta, this game provides a test to see if the Hawks are simply a playoff contender or if they’re a championship contender. There is no pressure on the Hawks at all as massive underdogs, but if they can pull the upset, it would provide a huge morale boost.

What They’re Saying

Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald reported that LeBron James told the media after the Heat’s last win over the Charlotte Bobcats that:

"

“This is a good point in my life right now.  I’m very excited about both on the court and off the court.  I’m a totally different person than I was last year.  Last year was overwhelming for a lot of people.  It was overwhelming for myself.  I am just back to loving the game of basketball…just a kid from Akron getting to play in the NBA.  I lost that last year.”

"

According to Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Jeff Teague talked about what he’s learning this season, saying:

"

“You can be aggressive, but be aggressive and make plays for others.  Me being a point guard, I’ve got the ball and I can get guys involved so they can play defense.  It’s hard to play defense if you don’t touch the ball.  Josh made a great point.  One time I went to the hole [against New Jersey] and I tried to make a tough, left-handed layup.  I looked at the film, and he was open on the baseline.  He talked to me.  We talk all the time.  I’m glad he did that.  [Teammates] tell me to be aggressive.  Joe [Johnson] told me, ‘If the lane is open, take it.  Use your speed.’  Josh told me the same thing.  But as a young guy you score a couple layups you start thinking it’s an easy play.”

"

Hawks Player to Watch

Miami’s weakness is on the glass, and Al Horford is the Hawks' best chance to take advantage. Up against Joel Anthony, the weak link in Miami’s starting lineup, he must dominant for Atlanta to have a chance in this one.

Heat Player to Watch

LeBron James has been a monster this season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 7.8 boards and 6.6 assists a game. As long as LeBron continues to play at that type of a level, the Heat will be difficult to upset.

Key Matchup

Joe Johnson vs. Dwyane Wade

D-Wade is hurt and only averaging 20.2 points a game this season. If Johnson, Atlanta’s leading scorer, can out-produce Wade, the Hawks will be able to keep it close.

Prediction

Miami is on fire, and it will take a team with a dominant center to cool them off. Atlanta doesn’t have that in Horford. Poor teams in the Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves have had opportunities to knock off the Heat so the Hawks won’t get blown out.

Miami 98-92

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels