The Heat held their rank. Number 1 in the regular season in the Eastern Conference, the Florida franchise launched its play-offs with a big victory on its floor against the Hawks. Qualified after a play-in earlier in the week, the Atlanta franchise rode on the momentum of this success to stand up to Miami in the first minutes of the game. But, with a very discreet Trae Young (8 points, 6 rebounds), the Hawks did not last very long. It was at the end of the second quarter that Jimmy Butler’s teammates (21 points, 6 rebounds) began to widen the gap, reaching the break with a margin of 19 points. A 14-6 from the return to the floor allowed Miami to get closer to a 30-point lead, thanks in particular to Duncan Robinson (27 points) but, after continuing their march forward in this meeting, the Floridians had to wait until the middle of the fourth quarter to overtake her and reach their maximum lead of 32 units.
Late in the game, Nate McMillan rotated his squad, giving playing time to Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (5 points), when the Heat eased off. In the end, Miami launches the series with an indisputable success (115-91) but will have to confirm during the second round, still at the FTX Arena. For the Hawks, this setback is a real slap, from which they will have to recover very quickly so as not to sink and see their season end prematurely.
Off to a #WhiteHot start ???? pic.twitter.com/Lp4uXdoyal
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 17, 2022
BASKET – NBA / PLAY-OFFS
Sunday April 17, 2022 (hours in French time)
Miami Heat – Atlanta Hawks: 115-91 >>> Miami leads 1-0 in the series
> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL): 5 points at 2/4 on shots (including 1/3 at three points), 3 rebounds, 1 loss of ball and 4 fouls in 15 minutes
21h30 : Boston Celtics – Brooklyn Nets
12:30 a.m.: Milwaukee Bucks – Chicago Bulls
3h00 : Phoenix Suns – New Orleans Pelicans