The NBA playoffs got off to a surprising start last night as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off an upset victory over the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament. The Hawks, led by Trae Young’s 36 points, earned themselves the 7-seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the heavily-favored Philadelphia 76ers. The win also marks the Hawks’ first playoff appearance since 2017 and sets the stage for what should be an exciting postseason run. Let’s take a closer look at how the Hawks were able to shock the Heat and what it means for their playoff hopes moving forward.
The Atlanta Hawks secured their place in the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating the Miami Heat 116-105 in a play-in tournament game. Trae Young was the star of the show for the Hawks, scoring 25 points, but it was Clint Capela who dominated on the boards, grabbing an impressive 21 rebounds. Dejounte Murray also contributed 18 points as the Hawks avenged their five-game Round 1 loss to the Heat last season. They will now face Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
For the Heat, Kyle Lowry’s 33-point performance was not enough, and they will now host either Toronto or Chicago on Friday to decide the No. 8 seed and a spot against top overall seed Milwaukee in Round 1. Tyler Herro also put in a solid performance, scoring 26 points, while Jimmy Butler finished with 21.
Atlanta’s reserves also played a crucial role in their victory. Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson combined to score 53 points. The Hawks also dominated on the boards, outrebounding Miami 63-39, including 22-6 on the offensive glass.
Despite seeing their 24-point lead reduced to just six midway through the final quarter, the Hawks were able to hold on for the win. With a 3-0 record in play-in tournament games, they have the best mark in the league and will be hoping to carry their form into the playoffs.
In conclusion, the Atlanta Hawks have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA’s eastern conference playoffs. With an impressive victory over the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament, the Hawks secured a coveted 7-seed and are now poised to make a deep run in the postseason. Led by a talented young core and bolstered by some impressive veteran acquisitions, this Atlanta squad is full of potential and hungry for more success. Only time will tell what lies ahead for the Hawks, but one thing is for certain – they are ready to shock the basketball world and make a name for themselves in the playoffs. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable journey for the Atlanta Hawks.
