The Miami Heat achieved a historic milestone by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 in overtime, marking their advancement to the playoffs as the first No. 10 seed in either conference since the NBA implemented the play-in tournament format in the 2020-21 season. This clutch output thoroughly cements the Heat’s spot in NBA Play-In Tournament history and continues a legacy of never yielding when facing dire odds.
The level of superiority shown by the Heat never appeared more evident than that one fateful Sunday in Atlanta. They took the early lead by posting the first 10 points of the game. At one point in the second period, they expanded their lead to an amazing 17 points at 45-28. The Hawks fought back, coming back to erase the deficit and making things difficult for Miami for most of the night. The Heat were able to recalibrate after squandering their sizable lead, doing so to earn their eventual win in overtime.
Future star Tyler Herro played a key role in the Heat’s victory, leading all players with an impressive 30 points. His impact was especially seen in overtime, as he knocked down two giant three-point shots to help secure the victory. The Heat showcased their shooting prowess by making 16 of their 47 attempts from beyond the arc during the game.
This win is huge though — this would be great for the Heat! They’ve already created history by becoming the first play-in team ever to win a playoff series, winning two games on the road. The team has been at its best in must-win situations. Yet it is their fighting spirit and flexibility that will continue to serve them well as they move deep into the postseason.
Even better, it’s something you’ll need to get pumped for the Miami Heat taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers this Sunday night. It’s the very first game of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs! It will be a tough, fun matchup for the Heat as they look to go deeper into the postseason.
Perhaps most surprising, Heat forward Nikola Jovic was healthy and available for this game but received no playing time. Guards Pelle Larsen made his return to action after missing every game since spilling his guts on April 7. His return provides critical depth for the team as they prepare for their first series in the playoffs.
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