Hawks fourth quarter comeback not enough, lose to Heat 122-112

Energy was lacking.

The Atlanta Hawks were in Miami on Thursday evening to take on the Heat. Both teams came into the game trying to stay within the Play-In race, and at this point, they want to be in the best position by the end of the season.

The last time these two teams saw each other, the Heat took the win after getting hot from the 3-point line in the second half. After losing 10 straight games, the Heat have won their last two, and are looking to continue the momentum.

The Hawks switched things up in this matchup and started Vit Krejci in place of Mouhamed Gueye. They got it going early in the game, getting out to a 14-point lead, and Zaccharie Risacher knocked down this 3-pointer to help build that lead.

Young called his own number and knocked this open 3-pointer.

The Hawks kept their double-digit lead throughout the quarter, with Young finding Dominick Barlow for an easy lob. The Hawks went into the second quarter with a 32-22 lead.

The Heat came out with better energy in the second and cut the Hawks lead down to three points, but the Hawks were able to hit a few shots to increase their lead, thanks to Terance Mann.

The Hawks eventually let go of the gas again midway through the quarter, and the Heat ended up tying the game. Onyeka Okongwu broke the tie with a strong take to the rim.

From there, the Hawks built on their lead, and Krejci knocked down another 3-pointer in the first half.

Though the Hawks built a lead once again, the Heat were able to come back and take the lead late in the half. Going into halftime, the Hawks trailed 60-55. Things didn’t get any better for the Hawks, and they found themselves down by as much as 21 points.

The Hawks found momentum late in the third quarter and cut their deficit down to 15 with the help of Caris LeVert and Okongwu.

The Hawks started to make a comeback as the third quarter came to and end, and got their deficit down to as much as eight points. Defense turned into offense on this play, and LeVert got a fast break layup to go.

Young then came in with the giant killer. Though the lead was cut down to single digits at one point, the Heat built their lead up again going into the fourth quarter.

The Hawks continued to try and make their comeback to start the fourth, and Young knocked down a deep 3-pointer in the midst of it.

Though the Hawks found themselves in a groove, the Heat knocked down a string of threes to increase their lead once again. Okongwu knocked down a three to get cut the Hawks deficit again.

The threes kept falling for the Hawks, and Young had two big ones down the stretch.

The Heat found a way to stay ahead and had an answer for almost every three the Hawks made, and in the end, it was just too late for them to make a real comeback.

Young finished with 29 points and 12 assists, LeVert finished with 17 points, and Okongwu finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Hawks will be back in action against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.