The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 on Tuesday night to close out their best-of-seven series and advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Heat were missing two integral pieces to their starting lineup in Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler. However, the Heat have a “Next Man Up” philosophy and that is exactly how things transpired. The Hawks had high praise for the way the Heat stayed focused and played tremendous defense. Trae Young and Nate McMillian both spoke on this postgame.
Victor was hot from the jump and he never cooled down. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hkNkMB0aPL
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
“They’re a good defensive team,” Young said. “Their team is more of a system than who they have on their team. No matter who they have out there, they can play. … And when they’ve got a guy that they’re targeting and trying to take away, they do a really good job of doing that.”
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis will be Monday.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
At home, of course. pic.twitter.com/vIrQoZwGLO
“They are a hell of a team,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “Those guys compete every second that they’re out on the floor and I have a great deal of respect for how they play.”
This is how we end a series. In clamps. #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/yu89aHttGr
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
Victor Oladipo received the starting nod in place of an injured Jimmy Butler in game five. Oladipo stepped up and did not disappoint. Oladipo scored 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field. Oladipo knocked down 3-for-6 from behind the three-point line. He also dished out three assists.
🗣 O-LA-DI-PO pic.twitter.com/83K8CqjN1Q
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
It's been a long road back for @VicOladipo, but he made the most of his moment in Game 5 pic.twitter.com/4P0xYnSI0Q
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
HIM. @VicOladipo pic.twitter.com/uifOPIKbdX
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
More Heat Contributions
- Bam Adebayo scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out four assists.
- Max Strus scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out two assists.
- Tyler Herro scored 16 points and dished out four assists off the bench.
- Caleb Martin scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.
Bam went Bam on Atlanta in the series clincher pic.twitter.com/eh8NbVL6wV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
Max Strus did some clutch things on both ends of the floor to close the series pic.twitter.com/ymxPSMTm1Y
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
The Miami Heat now await the winner of the Sixers/Raptors series for their second round matchup.
It's always a vibe when @JuwanHoward comes around. Post Game 5 locker room energy was on 💯#HEATCulture // @umichbball pic.twitter.com/lU0EDlUyPf
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
