Miami Heat (43-39) beat Atlanta Hawks (46-36) 143-117 at home on Sunday, April 12. The final margin was 26 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Heat had the better start, winning the first 33-24 to lead by 9 after one. The teams matched each other with 37 points apiece in the second quarter; the Heat still led by 9 at halftime.
The Heat won the third 29-23 to create some separation, taking a 15-point lead into the fourth. The Heat took the fourth 44-33; the Heat finished the job for a 143-117 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Heat took better care of the ball, turning it over on 5.8% of possessions compared with 15.4% for the Hawks. The Heat got more from their shots, finishing at 63.6% effective field-goal shooting compared with 56.5% for the Hawks. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 104 possessions per team, the Heat produced 137.9 points per 100 possessions to 112.8 for the Hawks.
Who stood out
Bam Adebayo was the game's biggest individual force for MIA: 25 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl on 11-18 shooting. His Game Score of 26.3 led everyone. His team was +16 with him on the floor.
Buddy Hield led the Hawks with 31 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast on 12-18 shooting, good for a 26.2 Game Score.
Bam Adebayo (25 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast) and Asa Newell (17 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 50% for the Heat.
Across the last 8 meetings in our records, Miami Heat lead 5-3.
The Heat are now 43-39, and the Hawks are 46-36. The Heat last five before this game: L-W-L-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.