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Hawks meet Heat in regular season finale

Apr 16, 2008 - 1:52 PM Atlanta (37-44) at Miami (14-67) 7:30 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Atlanta Hawks will experience their very own worst-to-first story in the span of the next few days. The first leg of that journey begins with a trip to the NBA's worst team.

The Hawks meet the Miami Heat in the regular-season finale for both teams on Wednesday.

After it visits Miami, Atlanta will begin its preparations as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Unfortunately for the Hawks, that means a best-of-seven series against the Boston Celtics, owners of the best record in the league and a team that has defeated them by at least 10 points in all three meetings this season.

Regardless, the team is happy to break an eight-year playoff drought.

"Man, you have no idea (how different it feels)," Hawks swingman Josh Childress said. "It's a great feeling."

With both teams resting some of their key players, the Orlando Magic defeated the Hawks on Tuesday, 121-105. Marvin Williams and Salim Stoudamire led Atlanta with 16 points apiece.

Miami, which will not be going to the postseason for the first time in five seasons, lost its third straight game on Monday in Toronto, 91-75.

The Heat have already clinched the worst record in the league, but need a win against the Hawks if they want to match their franchise-worst mark of 15-67 in 1988-89 - their inaugural season.