[Miami, FL] After blowing out the New Jersey Nets by 30 points, the Miami Heat were eager to give the Atlanta Hawks a taste of that good stuff. After all, the last time the Hawks and Heat met, Atlanta reigned supreme 100-92.

That game was close throughout, with both teams battling back and forth, but the Hawks eventually pulled away at the end. This game also had a post-season feel as well.

In the first quarter, LeBron James dominated. He scored 11 points and dished out 2 assists. For the Hawks, Josh Smith was the one doing the damage. Smith scored 10 points and reeled in a couple of rebounds. At the end of one, the Heat were up 25-22.

The Atlanta Hawks fought back and took the lead in the second, with Jeff Teague and Jerry Stackhouse combining to score 13 points in that effort. The Hawks were coming on strong and consequently went into the locker room at halftime up 45-43.

Both teams were fighting hard in the third quarter. Dwyane Wade and James took over for the Miami Heat, with Wade scoring 10 points and passing out a few assists. Meanwhile, LeBron also poured in 10 points.

On the Hawks side of the ball, it was Smith and Marvin Williams playing great, combining to score 13 points and matching the Heat bucket for bucket. At the end of the third, the score was tied at 68.

Photo: Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

Miami Heat forward LeBron James pulls up for a jumper

At the start of the fourth, it was obvious that both teams came to play, both on the defensive side and the offensive side. With around 6 minutes left, it actually looked like the Heat could pull away. But Teague came back and hit 3 straight shots to tie up the game.

Udonis Haslem was clutch tonight – in the final minute he scored 4 points to put the Hawks away. When it was over, the scoreboard read Heat 89, Hawks 86.

The Heat have now won 11 straight home games. LeBron James had a double-double, scoring 31 points and pulling in 11 rebounds. Dwyane Wade scored 18 points and had 9 rebounds.

“That was ugly there for a while,” Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We certainly weren’t in a great flow offensively, but we were able to push through, grind out the game and make the finishing plays.”

And what about Haslem there at the end?

“We know U.D. is a champion, where he helps you win,” Spoelstra said. “More often than not, he just makes winning plays.”

Next up for the Miami Heat: Saturday vs. Pacers, Tuesday @ Magic, Wednesday @ Bulls.

By: Michael Tristani II/Sunshine Slate

Images: Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

Miami Heat

[Orlando, FL] Coming off of quite possibly the biggest statement game of the season, the newly re-energized Orlando Magic (16-10) headed into tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks (17-9) riding in on the hopes that D-12 could have another monster 25 point, 24 rebound performance like the one he had against in-state rivals the Miami Heat.

Winners of 4 out of their last 5 games, things have finally started to click for Orlando.

“We needed a good win, we came out tonight with pretty much the same energy we had last game and we got a good win,” said Dwight Howard after their most recent victory against the Miami Heat. ”

“We just have to continue to do that, be more consistent as coming out with the same intensity, every night. I think we did a better job coming out in the third quarter they made a little run but we kept playing and got a good win,” added the big fella.

But could they keep the temperature up against Atlanta?

Shooting out of the gate just as fast as Larry Hughes‘ Magic career was over, both teams started out slow, scoring a combined 37 points in the first quarter. Yawn.

However, Orlando Magic starter Jason Richardson came ready with his dancing shoes on, scoring 8 in the first quarter by sinking his first three shots, including two three-pointers. They were badly needed to keep Atlanta from taking control early.

At the end of the first, the score was Atlanta 20, the good guys 17.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic starter Jason Richardson from the outside

The second quarter was a little more successful for the Magic – they outscored the Hawks 22-21. The biggest play of the quarter was something not seen very often: Dwight was blocked while going for a dunk. Gasp. By whom? Josh Smith, showing Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy why he should have been a part of this year’s All Star Game.

Smith was the leading scorer for the Hawks in the first half of play, recording 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots while shooting a miserable 3-for-10 from the field. Leading the way for the Orlando Magic was none other than Superman 2.0 himself, putting up 9 points, 8 rebounds and – surprisingly – 0 blocked shots.

Atlanta held a 41-39 lead at the half.

The second half started out with both teams matching baskets. It was still a 2-point game after D-12 dunked it home with 4:36 left in the third quarter (giving him 14 points after three). The Hawks finished the quarter on a 8-3 run led by Smith who was rocking 16 and 16 after three.

The score going into the fourth: Atlanta 61, Orlando 54.

It was obvious that the Orlando Magic needed someone to step up to pull this one out, and Ryan Anderson reported for duty, putting up 12 points. But the Hawks put up a fight, lead by Smith who scored a hard lay up giving the visitors a five-point lead.

That shot seemed to be the final blow to thew home team’s chances, you know – nighty night. But a late push by the Magic men gave them a chance to win or tie the game with 17.9 seconds left, and that’s just what they did. With 1.7 seconds left Mr. Howard followed up Jameer Nelson‘s missed lay up with a dunk, taking this one into overtime tied 78-78.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic PG Jameer Nelson drives against some tenacious Hawks defense

OVERTIME

With both teams going strong, it had the feeling of a dog fight. Both teams scored a quick five points, putting the score at  83-83. But with 2:22 left, six-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson decided enough was enough.

The veteran tried to put the game away by scoring the next four points, giving the Hawks a 87-83 lead. A late three by Anderson (who else?) brought the Magic to within one point, and with 11.6 seconds left J-Rich was at the line with a chance to tie it up at 88, but he missed his second free throw.

After Zaza Pachulia split a pair of free throws at the other end, the Magic had two shots to win the game but both came up short.

The final score: Atlanta 89, Orlando 87.

Josh Smith was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 23 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots. Three other Hawks ended in double figures: Joe Johnson (14), Marvin Williams (13) and Jeff Teague (13). Former Orlando player (and fan favorite) Tracy McGrady scored 9 off the bench.

For the Orlando Magic, ace outside shooter Ryan Anderson led the way with 21 points and 9 rebounds while Dwight Howard finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds.

The Magic (now 16-11) play their next game tomorrow night in Milwaukee against the Bucks (12-14), who themselves are coming off an 113-112 overtime nail-biter win to a Kyrie Irving-less Cleveland Cavs squad.

My prediction: Orlando 102, Milwaukee 93.

Game notes: The Bucks will be playing without skilled center Andrew Bogut, so look for Dwight to have a big game. Milwaukee will be starting former Magician Drew Gooden in his place.

Position Advantage:

PG – slight Bucks

SG – slight Magic

SF – Magic

PF –  Magic

C – Magic

Bench – Magic

By: Michael Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Photos: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic

[Atlanta, GA] With Dwyane Wade out with a contusion to his left foot and LeBron James out with a sprained ankle, the role players for the Miami Heat had to step up in an away effort against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.

And step up they did as Chris Bosh, rookie Norris Cole and a host of bench buddies rose to the occasion in a thrilling triple-overtime win against ATL.

In the first quarter, the Heat played unexpectedly great, even without their stars. Their defense was surprisingly stingy – they held the Hawks to under 20 points in the quarter. Both Bosh and Udonis Haslem played excellent from the start and gave Miami the lead.

At the end of the first, the score was Heat 22, Hawks 19.

The role players stepped up for Miami in the second. Cole, Terrel Harris and Shane Battier got most of the offense as Miami was showing great confidence. It didn’t look like they were going to be slowing down anytime soon.  At halftime, the score was Heat 54, Hawks 49.

In the third, the Heat kept the lead throughout, until … with under a minute left, the Hawks were finally on top. Miami just needed one more quarter of solid basketball – and a few more buckets – to pull off the win without the Dynamic Duo. After three, it was Miami 68, Atlanta 72.

Atlanta and Miami went back in forth in the fourth quarter. Then, with 52 seconds left, Mario Chalmers made a shot to put the Heat within 2. The Heat were down by 4 again with 12 seconds left, but Bosh made a lay-up to put the Heat within 2 once again.

Photo: Miami Heat

The Miami Heat’s Terrel Harris

Miami had to foul, so Hawks’ guard Joe Johnson went to the free throw line. He only made 1 out of 2 free throws, so Miami had a chance with under 10 seconds left, to make a three pointer to send the game into overtime.

They inbounded the ball to Chalmers, he passed it back to Bosh, and he made a 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left to send the game into overtime. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 93.

In overtime, Chalmers started off the period by making two back-to-back layups to put the Heat up 97-93 with about 3 minutes left. Miami was up 99-95 with about 40 seconds left, but, the Heat turned it over twice and the Hawks tied up the game with about 19 seconds left.

Miami had the last possession, but Chalmers missed the game-winning three pointer, and the game went into double overtime tied at 99.

During double overtime, the Heat were once again up by 4. It was 107-103 with just over 2 minutes left, but the Hawks fought back and tied the game at 107. Marvin Williams made the tip shot and put the Hawks up 109-107. But Chalmers went to the free throw line with just over 20 seconds left.

With around 3 seconds left, Johnson drove into the lane, hoping to make the game-winning shot for the Hawks, but the ball was blocked. Harris and Al Horford had to do a jump-ball with 3 seconds left.

Horford tipped it back, but it was too late, the clock hit zero, and the game went into triple overtime. At the end of double overtime, the score was tied at 109.

The Miami Heat jumped out to a 114-109 lead in triple overtime with around 2 minutes left. Atlanta kept missing, so Miami had an opportunity to end the game with about a minute left. Chalmers drove into the lane, and made the layup to put Miami up 116-109.

Atlanta didn’t make any baskets in the third overtime period, and Miami won the game 116-109.

By: Michael Tristani II/Sunshine Slate

Lead image: Kevin C. Cox/Miami Heat

Miami Heat