Game #8: Miami Heat (6-1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (4-2)

by David Dwork on Jan 5, 2012 2:46 PM EST

The Miami Heat's only loss this season came earlier this week at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, who have been the only team this season to successfully slow the Heat down. Atlanta did a good job taking away the Heat's fast break opportunities, also playing a lot of zone defense to keep Miami's halfcourt offense at bay. We'll see what adjustments the Heat can make tonight as they look to return the favor to Atlanta by winning a game in their opponents building.

One key element for the Heat tonight will be whether or not Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are in the lineup. Wade sat out last night's game to rest his bruised left foot, and he could return to the lineup at anytime. LeBron played last night but stepped on Indiana Pacers guard Paul George's foot while driving to the rim and immediately went to the ground clutching his left ankle. He would end up staying in the game and looked to be fine, but after the game the Heat said that his status for tonight's game was questionable.

GAME NOTES

This game begins a 5-game, 9-day road trip for the Heat.
The Heat won both games in Atlanta last season and has won 3 straight up there overall.
The Hawks outscored Miami 33-21 in the 4^th quarter of their win on Monday.
Miami is 1-1 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season.
Mike Miller (hernia) and Eddy Curry (hip) are out white Mickell Gladness (foot infection) and Dwyane Wade (foot) are questionable for the Heat.
As for the Hawks, Kirk Hinrich (shoulder) is out and Tracy McGrady (knee) is probable.

Tipoff from Phillips Arena is set for 8pm and the game will be broadcast nationally on TNT. Heat fans favorite broadcaster, Charles Barkley, will be on site as well.

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The loss to ATL was not a turrible outing

It just looked to me that the Hawks outplayed us down the stretch—which will happen from time to time. What I did not like, however, was what has been reported as Coach Spoelstra’s “explanation” that the Zone defense is the Heat’s Achille’s heel. Even if he feels that is true, he should review film and build a strategy to improve that weakness—not essentially say to everyone: “Hey, if you want to beat us, play a zone defense.”

Heat fandom est. 2004

by sherman r on Jan 5, 2012 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Finals for you son of a guns.

California OWNS ALL

by California Girly Girl on Jan 5, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

Omg!! Cali <3

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Jan 5, 2012 6:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

supppp?! :)

"Limitations, like fear, are often just an illusion."
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
----- His Airness (Michael Jordan)

by bibbY10 on Jan 5, 2012 6:11 PM EST up reply actions