The Atlanta Hawks got in the ‘W’ column Friday night in their series against the top-ranked Miami Heat. Atlanta pulled off a gutsy win at home, as their All-Star point guard, Trae Young, hit a floater to take a 111-110 lead with only 4.4 seconds remaining. It was Young’s second time hitting a game-clinching shot with under five seconds to go in his growing playoff-career.
This game got off to a bizarre start. The tip-off time was pushed from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., because of a mysterious package that was delivered to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. Fans were delayed getting into the game, but after the threat was taken care off, ‘The Farm’ was rocking for Hawks basketball.
Young led Atlanta through this nail-biting victory, in what was his most consistent night this series. Young finished with 24 points, 8 assists and only turned the ball over three times, compared to 10 from Game 2.
‘Ice Trae’ came to play in the fourth quarter. Young had 10 of his 24 points within that period alone. No shot was bigger than the 9-foot float shot hitting every part of the rim and falling through for the Hawks with under five seconds remaining. Young was guarded almost full-court on the game-winning play, following a rebound, by Heat forward, P. J. Tucker.
“I didn’t have any doubts,” Young said. “I was able to get to the basket and get to my floater.”
Hawks Head Coach, Nate McMillan, had some words on why he did not call a timeout at such a frantic moment in the game.
“No way was I calling a time out there,” McMillan said. “We got the rebound down by one with the ball in Trae’s hands. That’s a great chance to get into transition.”
Atlanta finally had the “team-game” they have been waiting for in this series. The Hawks had six players score in double-figures. Atlanta finished with 40 points off the bench.
Delon Wright and Onyeka Okongwu combined to go a perfect 10-of-10 from the field for 22 points. Both players also chipped in stellar defense performances. Bogdan Bogdanovic turned in an impactful 18-point, 6-assist, and 8-rebound outing. Because of the bench play, the Hawks were able to neutralize Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Tyler Herro, who finished with 24 points on 45% shooting for Miami.
Atlanta had to dig deep in this one as they pulled off the improbable win. The Hawks actually led this game by seven at the half, but the third period looked very similar to what happened in Game 2 where the Heat took control of the game. Miami rode a 21-0 run to go up by as many as 16 in the third period. Credit to the Hawks, as they hung around and cut the lead to down to eight points going into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks used a big fourth quarter coupled with clutch shot-making to edge Miami at home. Jimmy Butler did have a chance to win this game for Miami, but he missed a three-point attempt as the clock expired. Butler followed up his 45-point showing with a tame 20 points, while also stuffing the stat sheet with 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
Atlanta still has work to do if they want to remain competitive in this series. The Hawks host the Heat again on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. for a crucial Game 4. The series is now 2-1 in favor of Miami, and Atlanta can tie this series up as it shifts back to Miami for Game 5.
