The beginning of this Game 1 is anything but a feast for the eyes. During the first quarter, the two teams accounted for 40 small points (23-17 Heat), with appalling shooting rates, especially for Atlanta (3/17, their worst quarter of the season). Despite this breakdown in offense, the Hawks are ultimately only -6, thanks to their aggressiveness towards the circle (10/13 on free throws).
The attacking galley continues for Nate McMillan’s men during the second quarter (8/21), as the Heat finally finds their rhythm (36 points scored), under the impetus of a Duncan Robinson warming up (11 points, 3/4 behind the arch). Above all, Erik Spoelstra’s troop does a remarkable defensive job on Trae Young, harassed and who finishes the first period with 8 points to 1/9 on shots.
At halftime, the Hawks are at -19 (59-40), the result of a nightmarish first half on an offensive level, including a 2/18 from three-pointers.
The second half is a copy of the first… only worse for Atlanta. Always penniless on offense like a Trae Young who has nearly as many lost balls as points after 36 minutes (8 points, 6 losses), the Hawks sink very quickly in the third quarter (reaching the gap +27), while Miami, mercilessly , drives the point home for an insignificant fourth quarter.
At home, buoyed by an impeccable performance on both sides of the pitch, the Heat struck very, very hard from the start (115-91). The Hawks were trampled throughout the game and it will be necessary to react urgently in Game 2 on Tuesday, under penalty of leaving Atlanta 0-2, with considerable pressure on the shoulders.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
† Trae Young the Villain, Act Two. Hated by Madison Square Garden last year during the series between the Knicks and the Hawks, “Ice Trae” has made new enemies in Florida. After a collision with Jimmy Butler in the opening minutes of the game, the Atlanta All-Star was whistled and mocked for his mixed play for the remainder of the game. Love him or hate him, we have to admit that Trae Young is perfect in this villainous role.
† The discreet but reassuring return of John Collins. Absent since March 11 due to a double foot and hand injury, the Hawks strong winger made his comeback for this Game 1. If he wasn’t a big help in avoiding the sinking of his team, he was still looking after his recovery, with 10 points (4/6) and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
† The fluidity of the Heat’s attack† It ends with an impressive shooting success of 52.4% (43/82), and 47.4% from behind the arch (18/38). Known for its defense, Miami also crushes the Hawks with its attack, which is very bad news for Trae Young and his family.
TOPS/FLOPS
The heat defense. The club had one of its best defense performances of the entire season. By focusing all of his attention on Trae Young from the start, Miami cut off the snake’s head and the Hawks were quickly in distress. In this Game 1, Atlanta realizes its worst half of the season from an address standpoint, and ramps at the end of a serve that could easily qualify as disastrous (29/75, 10/36 3-pointers, 18 lost to 16 assist).
PJ Tucker. A great defensive play by the Heat often rhymes with a performance by PJ Tucker. The muscular Miami handyman offered a game with 16 points and 5 rebounds, including a 4/4 behind the arc. As usual, the strong winger punished in the corner and took advantage of the two-man catch on Bam Adebayo in the racket.
Duncan Robinson. The Heat sniper set his new playoff record, with 27 points on 8/9 behind the 3-point line. Elusive as he sails behind the scenes, especially Bam Adebayo’s, the rear gave migraines on the outside of the Hawks. His external address is definitely one of the keys to this series, and the Heat’s offensive display in Game 1 was a reminder of that.
Jimmy Butler. After a completely failed run of playoffs last year against Milwaukee, “Jimmy Buckets” set the record straight for this Game 1. Motivated, vocal and committed to physical combat, he draws a complete game: 21 points (9/15), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Trae Young. Logically seen as a priority by the Miami defense, the Hawks’ leader, dazzling during the two games of play-in, took a cold shower in this first game of the series. Harassed behind the scenes, jostled with every dribble, the former Sooner had a very bad time, arguably the worst game of his entire career. He didn’t score a single point in the second half, finishing with just 8 points to 1/12 on shots (0/7 on three-pointers), 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but lost 6 balls.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 2: in Miami, on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, at 1:30 AM.
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