Final
Hawks aim for No. 1 spot in East vs. Heat
Mar 27, 2015 - 2:12 PMVideo
The Hawks already clinched the Southeast Division and are closing in on wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. With a Hawks victory on Friday, coupled with a Cleveland Cavaliers loss (they play in Brooklyn), Atlanta would secure the top ranking in the conference. The Hawks have been the No. 1 seed only once, back in the 1993-94 season.
The Heat are currently seventh in the conference. The four-time Eastern Conference champions are two games clear of the Boston Celtics and 2 1/2 in front of the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Nets.
The Hawks rebounded from an ugly three-game losing streak with a 95-83 road win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Atlanta fell to the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, then came home and lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
But, Atlanta got back into the win column over Orlando.
Paul Millsap recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Hawks. Jeff Teague scored 16 points with nine assists and he fueled a late scoring surge for Atlanta that helped snap its season-high three-game losing streak.
"I've been real chilled on the court lately and coach kind of challenged me the other day, telling me to pick it up," said Teague.
Kyle Korver had 13 points with eight rebounds, while DeMarre Carroll and Dennis Schroder each added 11 points in the win.
Atlanta opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from Schroder to tie the game at 71-71, but Andrew Nicholson fired in a trey at the other end, kicking off a 7-0 spurt that he capped with a jumper.
The Hawks went nearly four minutes without a point early in the fourth during Orlando's run. Al Horford ended the drought with a layup from Teague, and Korver hit a 3 that cut the deficit to 79-76 with 6:23 remaining.
Teague's layup almost two minutes later gave Atlanta its first lead since the opening minute, and he scored the final five points of what turned into a 22-4 run to end the game for the Hawks.
The Heat snapped a two-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 93-86 road win over the Celtics. Miami has still won four of its last six and also secured the tiebreaker over Boston after clinching the season series 3-1.
Goran Dragic had 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead the Heat. Luol Deng netted 15 points and Udonis Haslem added 12 points and 12 boards for the Heat.
"As a captain he led this team tonight with his toughness," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Haslem.
Henry Walker and Tyler Johnson scored 12 points apiece for the Heat.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade was held out Wednesday after suffering a knee injury against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday. The All-Star is listed as questionable Friday.
Boston began the fourth on an extended 21-7 run to trim a once 22-point second half deficit to 89-83 following Phil Pressey's layup with 1:59 left. Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart, though, missed left wing triples for an opportunity to make it a one-possession game in the final 1:15.
The Celtics never got within less than five the rest of the way.
The Hawks have taken five straight over the Heat and will go for their first season sweep since the 1990-91 season.
- MIAMI: 86
ATLANTA: 99
Final
Mar 27 9:49 PM - MIAMI: 86
ATLANTA: 99
End of Regulation
Mar 27 9:49 PM - MIAMI: 67
ATLANTA: 89
End of 3rd
Mar 27 9:20 PM - MIAMI: 37
ATLANTA: 55
Halftime
Mar 27 8:43 PM - MIAMI: 20
ATLANTA: 27
End of 1st
Mar 27 8:09 PM - MIAMI: 0
ATLANTA: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Mar 27 7:44 PM
Related News
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- NBA Christmas Day 2023: open thread Dec 25
- Hawks unable to hold off Memphis momentum in loss to Grizzlies Dec 24
- Grizzlies at Hawks: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread Dec 23
- Hawks fade down stretch to Heat, lose 122-113 Dec 22
- Hawks at Heat: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread Dec 22
- Hawks request waivers on Miles Norris, reportedly sign Vit Krejci in his place Dec 22
- Okongwu dominates fourth quarter as Hawks hold on to victory over Rockets Dec 21
- Hawks cling on for a 134-127 victory over Rockets Dec 20
- Hawks at Rockets: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread Dec 20
- Hawks escape Detroit Pistons in 130-124 win Dec 18