MIAMI -- Tyler Herro scored 24 points and added 10 assists, Duncan Robinson scored 24 points off the bench and the Miami Heat shot a season-best 59% in a 131-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Davion Mitchell made all five of his three-point tries and scored 20 for the Heat, who got 20 points and nine rebounds from Bam Adebayo. Miami made 23 three-pointers, one shy of the franchise record. The Heat had 39 assists on 45 field goals.
Dyson Daniels scored 18 points and Trae Young and Caris LeVert each had 17 for the Hawks — who gave up 65 points in the first half, then 66 more in the second half.
The game marked the beginning of Miami’s stretch where they will host nine home games over the next ten outings, providing them with considerable home-court advantage.
Miami's dominant performance was highlighted by their 39-20 scoring run closing out the third quarter, allowing them to take control of the game. They ended the third with 107 points, which tied their franchise record.
Herro's resurgence after struggling against the Hawks only days prior showcased his resilience and highlighted Miami’s effective game execution. “Anytime we can get a win right now, we’re happy,” Herro said post-game, underlining the significance of the win.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra attributed the success to effective ball movement and team effort, saying, “It’s not going to turn out the way all the time, where we’ll make 20 [threes].” His comments reflected both relief and satisfaction with the squad's performance after previously declining offensive showcases.
The team's offensive strategy thrived, creating numerous open looks, allowing Miami to shoot 54.8% from beyond the arc and taking advantage when many players delivered strong contributions.
Despite Atlanta's efforts, with Trae Young entering the matchup as one of the league's leading scorers, their defense faltered under pressure. Atlanta has now fallen to 6-22 this season when allowing 120 points or more.
Following the game, Spoelstra remarked on Adebayo's leadership, noting he played through injury and was impactful on both ends, contributing not just points, but also positively affecting team dynamics. “Bam was banged up coming to this game,” he said, stressing the center's importance.
With this victory, the Heat moved to eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings, one half game behind the seventh-place Orlando Magic. The team anticipates maintaining this momentum for the upcoming games during their homestand.
The game was significant not just for the immediate victory, but for setting the tone for the remaining part of the season as the Heat brace themselves for the playoff race. Their next challenge will be against the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat now look to build on this victory, aiming to solidify their place among the top teams as they push for success this season. Spoelstra said it best, acknowledging the importance of consistency and defensive strength, stating, “I think whoever was going to take control of this thing defensively would have the best chance to win.”