The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are both riding high after consecutive victories, setting the stage for their first of four meetings this season on Saturday in Atlanta.
Recent Performances
The Heat secured an 89-88 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday, while the Hawks pulled off a dramatic 141-133 comeback victory over the Chicago Bulls, scoring 50 points in the final quarter.
Despite early struggles, both teams emerged victorious. Miami overcame a 14-0 deficit at the start, and Atlanta rallied from 21 points down late in the third quarter.
Head-to-Head
The Heat won three of the four matchups against the Hawks last season, including a sweep of both games in Atlanta.
Tyler Herro has been a consistent threat for the Hawks, averaging a career-high 23.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season. In three games against Atlanta last season, Herro scored 30, 25, and 33 points. He hit the game-winning jumper with 0.5 seconds left against the Magic on Thursday.
Bam Adebayo has also been a tough matchup for Atlanta, averaging 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in 23 career games against them. Adebayo will face an Atlanta team lacking depth, as primary backup Onyeka Okongwu has missed the last four games with left knee soreness and will not play on Saturday.
Hawks’ Key Players
Trae Young, who surpassed 11,000 career points on Thursday, leads the Hawks in scoring (22.0 points) and is the NBA leader in assists (12.1). In 19 career games against the Heat, Young averages 22.2 points and 8.7 assists. He missed two of last season’s games against Miami due to injury but scored 27 and 30 in the games he played.
De’Andre Hunter averages 20.3 points, and Jalen Johnson contributes 19.8 points and 10.3 rebounds for Atlanta.
In addition to Okongwu, the Hawks have played the last two games without key reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic (left lower leg contusion). Miami is missing Pelle Larsson (right ankle sprain), and Jimmy Butler’s status is uncertain after missing the last two games with a stomach illness.
Conclusion
This will be the final game of Atlanta’s four-game homestand before embarking on a six-game road trip through the Western Conference. With both teams showing resilience and determination, Saturday’s matchup promises to be an exciting contest.
