Hawks' Claws Not Sharp Enough to Hold Off Heat in Double Overtime 117-111
In a closely contested double-overtime game at State Farm Arena, the Atlanta Hawks fell short against the Miami Heat with a final score of 117-111. The Hawks now stand at 36-43 while the Heat improved their record to 44-35.
The game was an intense back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing hands 12 times and the score tied on 11 occasions. Despite trailing for only a brief six minutes and twelve seconds, the Hawks couldn't capitalize on their home-court advantage. The team's effort was evident in their rebounding as they outmatched the Heat with a total of 69 rebounds compared to Miami's 54.
Atlanta's offense saw them attacking inside, scoring half of their points in paint and leading second-chance points by a significant margin with 23. However, shooting from beyond the arc proved challenging for the Hawks as they made just ten out of forty-six three-point attempts, translating to an accuracy rate of only twenty-two percent.
Defensively, Atlanta managed to steal possession from Miami thirteen times but struggled to contain their opponents' shooters who posted an effective field goal percentage of fifty-eight percent. The Heat also capitalized on fast-break opportunities better than the Hawks did.
One notable performance came from Atlanta's bench which contributed twenty-nine points but it wasn't enough against Miami's bench that added twenty-six points along with eighteen crucial three-pointers made throughout various stages of play.
As both teams fought through two overtime periods, fatigue set in and ultimately it was Miami who held strong defensively when it mattered most. They maintained a lead during most parts of regulation time – forty-three minutes and twenty-four seconds – and secured victory despite being pushed into extra time twice by a determined Atlanta side.
Looking ahead after this hard-fought battle, fans can catch the next game featuring Atlanta Hawks as they host Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena on April 10th at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. This encounter will be broadcasted live on BSSE for those eager to follow every play.