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Atlanta Hawks Beat Miami Heat, Trae Young Scores 50 In Win

By Deke Lloyd

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA game at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks started the second “half” of the season with a bang, by beating the Miami Heat 129-124. Trae Young scored a career-high 50 points in last night’s game, the first time in his career he’s hit 50 points.

Coming out of the All-Star Break, Trae Young was brimming with confidence. A participant on every day of the All-Star Weekend, including starting in the All-Star Game for Team Giannis. Arguably, on one of the best All-Star weekends in recent memory, Trae had the most memorable moment when he hit a half-court shot to close out the first half of the All-Star game.

For the Hawks, the team was looking to start the last third of the season on a high. With the Miami Heat coming to town, it wasn’t going to be an easy task. However, Miami’s road record, 13-16 coming into last night’s game, is a stark difference to their home record. The Heat has proved that they can be beaten on the road this season.

Miami jumped on the Hawks early in the first quarter. After a week-long break for every player on the team, other than Trae, the team looked a little rusty. After the first quarter, the Heat led the Hawks 36-32.

The Hawks would wake up in the second quarter. After falling behind 41-37, the Hawks roared to a 15-0 run to take the lead from the Heat. The game turned much more to a back and forth game between the two teams with the Heat grasping to a one-point lead at halftime.

Coming out of halftime, the Hawks would keep the game close throughout most of the period, but the Heat would maintain a slim lead through most of the third quarter. Like Trae, first-time All-Star, Bam Adebayo, was torching the Hawks. At the end of the third quarter, the Heat would hold a seven-point lead. Trae was starting to heat up himself, scoring 30 by the end of the 3rd.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Hawks and Trae Young. The Hawks would pull the game back to 97-97 to start to put the pressure on the Heat. This was when Trae Young started to hit his signature logo-length three-pointers. Back-to-back 26 footers from Trae was keeping the Hawks within striking distance.

The Heat would keep the lead until a pair of Jeff Teague free throws put the Hawks ahead for the first time since the first half. It wouldn’t last long for the Hawks as Adebayo and Jimmy Butler really started to establish themselves late in the game. With under two minutes left in the game, the Heat took a 124-119 lead over the Hawks.

It was this point of the game when the rookies, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, began to make some game-winning plays. Hunter hit a long three-pointer after a kick-out from Trae that tied the game at 124-124. The next possession for the Heat ended with a Cam Reddish steal and dunk on the other end. With the Hawks taking the lead, 126-124, those two plays would prove to be the game-clinching plays from the two rookies.

Trae Young was fouled to close out the game, hitting three out of his four free throws. The three free throws were enough to get Trae to 50, his career-high. In the final quarter, Trae scored 20 of his 50 points. On the night, Trae shot 18-19 from the free-throw line and 8-15 from long distance. It was an incredible performance from Trae Young who continues to overflow in confidence. No one can deny that Trae Young is a bona fide superstar in the NBA.

The Hawks have another signature matchup next with the Dallas Mavericks coming to Atlanta on Saturday. All eyes will be on this game with Trae and Luka Doncic involved. You won’t want to miss that game.

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