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Duncan Robinson couldn’t overlook photographs. Trae Youthful could not make pictures.
In most straightforward terms, which is how Game 1 went for Miami and Atlanta.
Robinson came off the bench to established a franchise playoff history with eight 3-ideas, and the leading-seeded Heat compelled Young into matching the worst-shooting sport of his profession on the way to a 115-91 win over the eighth-seeded Hawks in the opener of an Eastern Meeting initially-spherical collection Sunday.
“It is normally wonderful to toss the very first punch,” Robinson said. “But in the grand plan of issues, it is just winning a single game.”
Robinson scored 27 details on 9-of-10 shooting for the Heat, 8 of 9 from 3-stage array. Jimmy Butler scored 21, P.J. Tucker added 16 and Kyle Lowry experienced 10.
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Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Warmth shoots a a few pointer about Gorgui Dieng #10 of the Atlanta Hawks for the duration of the next 50 percent in Activity A single of the Eastern Meeting To start with Spherical at FTX Arena on April 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida.
(Michael Reaves/Getty Visuals)
But this was not about offense for Miami. It was about protection, so substantially so that even Heat coach Erik Spoelstra — a former stage guard himself — put in some belongings in a defensive stance, clapping his arms and imploring his workforce to dig a minimal bit deeper on that stop of the flooring.
“You have to be on edge,” Spoelstra reported.
The edge, for Miami, was razor sharp. Younger went 1 for 12, matching his effort and hard work in opposition to Chicago on Jan. 23, 2019.
“You have bought to give them credit score,” Younger explained. “They arrived out aggressive.”
Danilo Gallinari led Atlanta with 17 points. De’Andre Hunter scored 14 for the Hawks and John Collins extra 10.
Game 2 is Tuesday.
“I imagined Miami performed at yet another level,” Hawks mentor Nate McMillan stated. “We talked about that in our locker place, that in the playoffs, you can find an additional level you have to get to. … They showed us tonight you can find a further amount we have to get to in buy to contend in these playoffs.”
Robinson broke the file of seven 3s that he earlier shared with Damon Jones and Mike Miller.
He sizzled. The Hawks fizzled.
Youthful — who noticed anything from traps to complete-court docket tension — was for 7 from 3-issue vary and concluded with just 8 details, a period-small. Bogdan Bogdanovic skipped all 8 of his shots, and the Hawks never led outdoors of a temporary edge in the opening minutes.
Butler unveiled the Warmth recreation plan when it comes to defending Youthful: “Just make it physical on him, problem every single shot, retain him off the absolutely free toss line and make him move,” he reported.
It labored.
“I’m pretty confident we’re likely to change this all-around,” Youthful claimed.
Atlanta went 3- in Recreation 1s previous yr, all 3 of people wins on the street, coming by two, four and three points, respectively.
That was then.
This was 1-sided by halftime. The Heat set the tone by forcing Atlanta into a 1-for-11 commence from the area — absolutely free throws were being the only point maintaining the video game close for significantly of the first 50 percent — and Miami took a 59-40 lead into the split.
A 3-pointer from Kevin Huerter early in the second received Atlanta in 26-20. A 15-6 Warmth run, capped by a 3-pointer from Lowry, pushed the lead out to 41-26, and an additional 3 from Lowry later in the quarter built it 53-34.
Gallinari designed a 3-pointer to open up the next 50 %, getting the Hawks in 16. And that was as close as the Hawks got. Miami managed the rest of the 3rd, turning factors into a full runaway.
It was 86-60 immediately after a few, the Hawks handling only one a lot more stage via 36 minutes than Miami experienced as a result of 24, and the consequence was resolved. A 4-place play from Robinson with 8:54 still left was likely the official conclusion to all Atlanta hope, as Miami fans waved their white giveaway rally flags in earnest right after the Warmth won a dwelling playoff video game — excluding the bubble operate in 2020, which clearly wasn’t at dwelling — for the initially time because 2016.
“I arrived right here for this.” Tucker said.
Tip-INS
Hawks: The 19-level halftime deficit was Atlanta’s next-premier of the period. Atlanta trailed Chicago by 21 at the crack on Dec. 29. … Atlanta was enjoying less than 36 several hours immediately after arriving in Miami following its participate in-in victory at Cleveland on Friday. The Hawks acquired settled in Miami all-around 3 a.m. Saturday, and Sunday experienced a 1 p.m. begin.
Heat: Butler — one of the finest free-toss shooters in the NBA — started for 3 from the line, the 1st time he’s carried out that in his initially a few Warmth seasons. … Tucker, Lowry and Max Strus all received their first Miami playoff commences. There have now been 69 players all-time to begin a playoff game for the Heat.
ROBINSON’S Working day
Robinson’s 8 3s were the 2nd-most in NBA playoff heritage by a reserve. Jason Terry had 9 for Dallas in a 2011 gain about the Los Angeles Lakers. J.R. Smith had eight for Cleveland in a 2015 activity, also against Atlanta.
Sport 1 Heritage
Miami enhanced to 26-22 all-time in Sport 1s, like 20-7 at house — and 12-2 at residence when playing host to a Game 1 in Round 1. Atlanta fell to 37-41 all-time in Recreation 1s, a determine that contains a handful of one-match playoffs from the league’s early days.
COLLINS Performs
Collins (foot, finger accidents) performed for the initial time in 19 game titles. He was 4 for 6 in 21 minutes, with the Hawks needing added depth inside of with Clint Capela out with a appropriate knee harm.
UP Following
Video game 2 is Tuesday in Miami.
