Miami Heat Makes Playoff History with Overtime Win Against Atlanta Hawks
In a thrilling showdown on Friday night, the Miami Heat triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks with a final score of 123-114, solidifying their place in NBA Play-In Tournament history. Tyler Herro was instrumental in the victory, scoring 30 points and demonstrating clutch performance by hitting two crucial three-pointers during overtime.
Playoff Progression
This significant win marks the first time a No. 10 seed has advanced to the playoffs in either conference since the NBA introduced the current play-in format in the 2020-21 season. The Heat will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening game of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Sunday night.
Key Performers
Although Davion Mitchell had a modest seven points in regulation, he found his rhythm in overtime, contributing three crucial three-pointers. Trae Young led the Hawks with a strong performance, scoring 29 points and providing 11 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu delivered an impressive display with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Game Highlights
- The Heat began the game with a commanding start, scoring the first 10 points and leading by as much as 17 points (45-28) in the second quarter.
- The Hawks managed to tie the game for the first time at 88 with a layup by Terance Mann, ultimately taking the lead through Young’s three-pointer with 7:36 remaining.
- Atlanta extended their lead to 98-92 following a steal by Dyson Daniels and an ensuing dunk by Okongwu.
Player Availability
Miami’s Nikola Jovic, who was sidelined since February 23 with a broken right hand, returned to availability but did not see action during the game. Pelle Larsen also made his return after dealing with an ankle injury since April 7.
Three-Point Strategy
In response to a previous game where the Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, coach Quin Snyder emphasized the need for his players to be more aggressive in attempting contested three-pointers. This strategy was evident, with the Hawks launching 21 three-point attempts in the first half alone and finishing with a total of 16 successful long-range shots out of 47 attempts.
This playoff victory not only illustrates Miami’s resilience but also reflects the competitive nature of the NBA as teams vie for playoff spots and momentum as they approach the postseason.
