Heat 116 - 109 Hawks
Final - 3OT
  for this game

Hawks hope to solve Heat again

Jan 5, 2012 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - Three days ago the Atlanta Hawks handed the Heat their only loss of the season when the two teams met in South Beach. Now, Miami will shoot for a measure of revenge when LeBron and Company invade Philips Arena to take on the Hawks.

Atlanta couldn't follow up on its big win in Miami, faltering from the foul line again and again in the fourth quarter en route to a 76-74 setback in Chicago on Tuesday. Joakim Noah eventually found Luol Deng under the basket with 3.7 seconds left for the game-winner, as the Bulls rallied from a 19- point deficit to win.

Joe Johnson missed a three-pointer as time expired, giving Chicago its fourth straight victory.

Al Horford and Marvin Williams had 16 and 14 points, respectively, for the Hawks, who have lost two of three since starting the season 3-0. Josh Smith donated 15 points and 14 boards.

The Bulls, who topped the Hawks in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, outscored Atlanta 34-18 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta shot a miserable 35.0 percent in the game and went 14 of 25 from the free throw line.

Despite the offensive problems Horford remained upbeat.

"I just think it's a good measuring stick early in the season [for our team] to know that were right their with the top teams in the East," the big man said.

Miami, which opens a five-game road trip tonight, rebounded nicely from its lone loss, blitzing an improved Indiana team, 118-83, on Wednesday despite being without Dwyane Wade.

Batman was fine without his Robin, however, as LeBron James poured in 33 points, dished out 13 assists and pulled down eight rebounds despite tweaking his left ankle in the third quarter.

While going up for a layup, James stepped on Paul George's foot and went to the floor holding the ankle, but managed to play the rest of the game.

"He was aggressive and active on both sides of the ball," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said about James. "He had 13 assists, but a lot of defensive plays and the rebounds in traffic really got us out in the open court in the first half. We were able to get a lot of different contributions (from James)."

Chris Bosh added 22 points and six boards for the Heat, who are 6-1 and lead Orlando by a game and Atlanta by 1 1/2 games in the Southeast Division. James Jones and Mario Chalmers both donated 14 points.

Wade sat against Indiana with a bruised left foot suffered at Charlotte on Dec. 28. The dynamic offensive threat hopes to be back in the lineup tonight. James also plans to play despite the ankle.

"It's been better, but it feels OK," said James, who is scoring a league- leading 29.9 points per game.

The Heat will also visit New Jersey, Golden State, the LA Clippers and Denver on their trek.

Atlanta snapped a two-game skid to the Heat with its win on Monday but Miami has won six of eight overall in the series.






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