The Miami Heat earned their 34th victory after dropping a heartbreaker to the New York Knicks the night before. They did not want to mope and hold their heads down after the Julius Randle game-winner Friday night. The Heat bounced right back and returned to the win column with a 117-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra spoke on his team’s play postgame.
“I thought the first half really set the tone for the game and then we had some ups and downs in that second half,” Spoelstra said. “But I also think that’s important for our team – to manage all the different emotions.
“I think the very best thing for us coming off a game like that is play the next night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Miami Heat with 30 points. Adebayo scored his 30 on 10-for-12 shooting. Adebayo knocked down 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out five assists, and recorded a steal. Adebayo spoke postgame about his strong performance and Coach Spoelstra’s confidence in him.
“You’ve seen the many different ways to score or get somebody open,” Adebayo said. “And obviously, me and Coach having that trust between each other that I can be aggressive and take shots.”
A bright spot for the Atlanta Hawks against the Heat was Saddiq Bey. Bey has played well since coming over to the Hawks in a four-team trade where he came over from the Detroit Pistons. Bey played well scoring 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Hawks at one point mounted a rally but the Heat was able to pull away. Bey spoke postgame about his confidence even though he is in a new situation.
“I’m just feeling the game, feeling the opportunities to be aggressive,” Bey said. “I just try to bring a spark to the team, sometimes an energy when I get in.”
More Heat Contributions
- Tyler Herro scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out five assists.
- Jimmy Butler scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out seven assists, and recorded two steals.
- Caleb Martin scored 15 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out an assist off the bench.
- Cody Zeller scored 13 points and grabbed two rebounds off the bench.
The Miami Heat will remain at home in Miami, Florida, and face the Hawks again on Monday, 3/6. Tip-off from Miami-Dade Arena will be at 7:30 pm. The game will air on NBA TV.
