The Miami Heat gave their current 6-game road trip a shot in the arm on Friday with a highlight-filled win over the Wizards. Tonight they will look to get their toughest stretch of the season off to an equally good start when they face the Hawks in Atlanta. This is the first game of Miami's one and only 3-games in 3-nights set, and all three games are against quality road opponents.
First up is tonight against Atlanta, followed by a trip to Milwaukee who has beaten the Heat both times they've met this season. Finally the set concludes on Tuesday in Indiana against the Pacers, a team that should definitely be in the playoffs and isn't that far back of a top-3 spot in the East.
The Heat shouldn't feel too bad for themselves about this tough road that lies ahead. There will be a total of 42 of these 3 games in 3 night sets in the NBA this season thanks to the lockout-shortened schedule. That means that there are some teams out there who will have to endure this marathon of games twice.
As for this game, the last time they played each other the Heat were without Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, but that didn't stop them from escaping Atlanta with a stunning victory. Chris Bosh took over as primary scorer, coming away with 33 points, and Mario Chalmers scored 22 of his 29 points between the 4th quarter the 3rd overtime.
GAME NOTES
- The Heat are 8-5 on the road. Atlanta is 9-4 at home.
- The Hawks are 12-1 when Joe Johnson scores at least 20 points, and they are 5-1 when he has at least 5 assists.
- Dwyane Wade has scored at least 20 points in seven consecutive games.
- Wade has scored at least 25 points in five straight.
- Chris Bosh has been very impressive from the charity stripe, making 62 of his 67 free throws (92.5%).
- Mario Chalmers leads the Heat with 52 3-pointers on the season. He is shooting 45.2% from downtown.
- The Heat are still listing Chalmers (hand) as day-to-day.
- As for Atlanta, Al Horford (chest) and Jason Collins (elbow) are out.
Tipoff from Phillips Arena is set for 7pm. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and locally on Sun Sports.