Game Preview: Heat seek to rebound from tough loss with road game vs Hawks

The Miami Heat (7-14) played well enough in their short West Coast trip to almost go 3-0 but had to settle for 2-1 after a hard fought battle with the Portland Trail Blazers was extinguished in the fourth quarter. The same could be said for the latest loss, this time against the New York Knicks last night in which the Heat hung around and had their chances but ultimately had no answer for Carmelo Anthony’s hot shooting.

One day later, the Heat hit the road again for today’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks (10-12) at Philips Arena.

Fatigue may have played a factor in both losses with just a few available players on the bench in support of the cobbled-together starting lineup that nonetheless has had their moments. The same can’t be said as of late for Atlanta, which started the season at 9-2 and a six game winning streak but has since lost 11 of their last 12 games, including seven in a row. Even with the return of former All-Star Paul Millsap to the lineup, the Hawks lost two recent games by a combined 80 points.

Can Miami take advantage and grind out a feel-good road win? Just about everyone available will need to contribute towards that goal, which also means Tyler Johnson needs to get back on track offensively and continued aggressiveness from Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, who will battle it out with Dwight Howard in the paint.

DETAILS

The game is at 7:30 PM EST on SunSports or listen on 790 the Ticket, 106.3 FM, and 710 AM

Probable starters:

Miami: Goran Dragic, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder, Josh McRoberts, Hassan Whiteside

Atlanta: Dennis Schroder, Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha, Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard