Bodog Beat

This series is all about Dwyane Wade versus the Atlanta Hawks, and it is hard to bet against D-Wade after the season he has had. (AP Images)

Rebounding from a 15-win season, the Miami Heat landed the coveted No. 5 spot in the East, allowing them to avoid the power trio of Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando. Now Wade will try to prevent Atlanta from getting its first postseason series victory in 10 years.

Atlanta (+3000 to win the East) went 3-1 against the Heat, winning both meetings at home, including the series clincher in a meaningless 81-79 victory Tuesday night. Wade, the NBA’s leading scorer, averaged 25.7 points in three games against the Hawks this year.

The question for Miami is, can they stop Joe Johnson? If not for Wade, Johnson would be the best guard in the Southeast Division. He averaged 21.4 points this season and was right at that average against the Heat before scoring only nine in limited minutes Tuesday. Get your NBA Playoffs odds with the Bodog Sportsbook.