Atlanta Hawks Travel to Miami to Face Heat

The Atlanta Hawks travel to American Airlines Arena to face their Southeast Division rivals the Miami Heat.

After beginning the season with a loss on opening to the Detroit Pistons, the Atlanta Hawks finished up the first week of the season with three consecutive wins, heading into Miami with a 3-1 record. Though they have a winning record, the Hawks have yet to truly look like they’ve gelled, and have struggled offensively to an extent.

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The Miami Heat have improved from last year’s squad, signing Goran Dragic to a multi-year deal, drafting Justise Winslow and welcoming back Chris Bosh from a season ending injury in 2014-2015. The Heat are coming off a double digit win over the Houston Rockets — an impressive victory highlighted by a 21 point rally led by center Hassan Whiteside, who recorded 25 points and 15 rebounds on the night.

The Heat enter Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks with a 2-1 record, and are looking to supplant the Hawks as Southeast Division Champions this season. Last year, the Atlanta Hawks swept the season series against the Miami Heat, winning all four games against their division rivals. In the final game between both teams last season, the Atlanta Hawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, while also sweeping the Heat for the first time in years.

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For the Atlanta Hawks, Kent Bazemore has been the best surprise for the team thus far this season. After the departure of DeMarre Carroll, Bazemore has stepped into the starting SF role and has flourished. On Sunday, Bazemore followed up a 19 point performance on Friday against the Hornets that included 4 three-pointers with 20 points in Charlotte in the second game of a home-and-home series. Bazemore is shooting over 55 percent from beyond the arc, and his defense will be key against Luol Deng and Dwyane Wade.

Thabo Sefolosha will not dress for Tuesday’s game against the Heat. The Atlanta Hawks’ small forward and defensive wiz is still not fully recovered from his leg injuries, and Head Coach Mike Budenholzer is taking a cautious approach to his recovery. With Tuesday’s game the first of a back-to-back set for the Atlanta Hawks, it’s wise to allow Sefolosha to sit.

Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder‘s play is key against an up-and-coming Heat team. Goran Dragic is one of the better floor generals in the league, and as Jeff Teague goes, so do the Atlanta Hawks. Al Horford will have the unenviable task of matching up against the physical Hassan Whiteside, who has transformed into a focal point for the Heat offense. Paul Millsap will match up against a now healthy Chris Bosh, who helps spearhead the Heat front-court. Also look for Mike Budenholzer to employ his big lineup with Tiago Splitter extensively, while also probably giving minutes to Mike Muscala and Walter Tavares.

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This year’s Miami Heat team presents the greatest challenge for the Atlanta Hawks to repeat as Southeast Division Champions. If the front-court can mitigate the efficacy of the Heat’s bigs, the Atlanta Hawks have a great chance of winning this game on the road. The Atlanta Hawks, though, must diminish their recent tendency to turn the ball over. Mistakes will cost them against Miami. Tip-off is set scheduled for 7:30 PM.

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