After two days of practice back home, the Miami Heat ventured back on the road as they would face the Atlanta Hawks. Last season, the Heat managed to get the better of the Hawks. Heading into this game, the Heat would be without Goran Dragic, who sits out with a groin injury.
It was an explosive first quarter for the Hawks as they unleashed a barrage of three-pointers from Alex Len, Omari Spellman, and Trae Young, setting the tone for what became a high scoring game. Miami answered back with baskets from Rodney McGruder, Josh Richardson, and Hassan Whiteside. With Atlanta leading 21 to 19, Taurean Prince (pronounced Tar-ree-yan) and Vince Carter came off the bench and contributed on the offensive end, while Miami did the same with Dwyane Wade. After the first quarter was over, Atlanta led 41 to 31.
In the second quarter, Atlanta continued more of its offense as Young, along with Kent Bazemore and Dewayne Dedmon led the charge against a Miami defense, which made very little impact. With the Hawks leading 60 to 47, Miami went on a 15 to 5 run, led by Tyler Johnson and Wade, narrowing the Hawks’ lead. The Hawks slightly broke away from a surging Miami offense by the end of the first half, leading 74 to 68.
Trae Young’s offense and passing was on full display for the Hawks as Atlanta continued carving through Miami’s defense. With Atlanta leading 90 to 78, Miami went on an eleven to two run, led by McGruder and Wade. The third quarter ended with a buzzer beater from Young as Atlanta led 102 to 93.
In the fourth quarter, Justise Winslow, who didn’t make much of an impact, made his presence felt on both ends of the court, while trying to rally Miami back in the game and giving them a slight lead. With the Heat going on an eighteen to eight run, the Hawks took back the lead with technical free throws from Young and baskets from Jeremy Lin, Bazemore and Carter. The Hawks would go on to win 123 to 118.
The Heat drop another game despite making 16 three-pointers, a new Heat record. It should be also noted that Whiteside and Bam Adebayo (pronounced Ah-de-buy-yo) were complete non-factors.
For the Heat, Josh Richardson had a career high 32 points, Dwyane Wade made 19 points, Rodney McGruder with 18 points, Tyler Johnson made 17 points, and Justise Winslow with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Hawks, Taurean Prince and Dewayne Dedmon each had 15 points, Vince Carter and Kevin Huerter with 12 points each, Alex Len with 11 points, Kent Bazemore made 10 points, and Trae Young with a double-double of 24 points and 15 assists.
The Heat continue on their road trip as they face the Detroit Pistons. Game starts Monday at 7pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports.
The Heat Check Magazine 