One buzzer-beater in a season is a significant achievement. Two is excessive.
Experiencing a buzzer in consecutive games? When Dejounte Murray hit his second buzzer in as many games, the Hawks defeated the Miami Heat on the road in a thrilling victory that does not happen very often. Atlanta was playing as a significant underdog against a Miami Heat club that was largely healthy sans its star point guard, Trae Young.
The Hawks have struggled to win in Miami the last several seasons, but they battled tonight to get a much-needed victory.
Most bookies had Atlanta closing as an 11.5-point underdog. Bogdan Bogdanovic (who has started when Young has been forced to miss games), Murray, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela were the starting five sans Young.
Caleb Martin, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and Bam Adebayo were the starting lineup for Miami.
It was difficult to envision a more impressive beginning for the Hawks against Miami than they enjoyed this evening. Atlanta had to rely on Murray and Bogdanovic to lead the attack and pose a danger from the perimeter in Young’s absence, and that is exactly what transpired in the beginning.
The Hawks surprised everyone by jumping out to a 32-24 lead in the first quarter despite Murray scoring nine points and the Hawks making five three-pointers.
Things tightened up in the second quarter, and Duncan Robinson played a big part in Miami’s offensive explosion. Miami shot 55% in the quarter with 11 points from Robinson. Although the Heat were shooting well and had narrowed the lead to one going into the half, Atlanta did not play badly.
At the half, Atlanta was shooting 42.1% from three and 47.8% from the field. Murray finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
In the first half, Miami shot 42.1% from three and 44.7% from the field. Robinson scored 14, Herro scored 10, and Butler scored 13.
Atlanta was completely outplayed by Miami to begin the third quarter. The Hawks suddenly found themselves behind after the Heat jumped out to an 8-2 lead. As they did throughout the whole game, they rallied to trail by only two points entering the fourth quarter.
Heat guard Josh Richardson was fouled with roughly 5:29 remaining, allowing him to make a three-point shot and extend the Heat’s advantage to five points. The Heat appeared to be starting to distance themselves.
However, the Hawks responded with a 6-0 run, giving Atlanta a 98-97 advantage.
You anticipated Jimmy Butler would have possession of the ball going into the game’s last two minutes, and that is exactly what transpired.
The Hawks were behind by three with less than a minute remaining, but Clint Capela was fouled and had an opportunity to trim the deficit to one. Despite his lack of reputation as a skilled free-throw shooter, Capela has been reliable this season, hitting both. Atlanta was behind, 105–104.
It appeared as though the Hawks would get the defensive stop they were in dire need of. The shot clock was running out and Butler had the ball, but he swung it out to Tyler Herro, who made a three-pointer as the shot clock ran out, putting Miami back up by four and making it appear as though the Hawks were done for good.
Bogdanovic drew a foul on the following possession and was forced to the line for two. It was the last thirty seconds, and he hit both. Atlanta could have let the game go without having to commit a foul. Murray snatched the rebound after Herro missed a shot, dashed down the court, and executed the following move:
With the victory, the Hawks improved to 18-23 on the season and secured their third straight victory.
In the contest, the Hawks shot 46% overall and 42.9% from three. Jalen Johnson finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Murray finished with 22 points.
Miami made 46.3% of their field goals and 38.7% of their threes. Adebayo finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Herro and Butler both scored 25 points.
Tomorrow night, the Hawks will return to action when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers.