The Hawks and the Heat met in a matchup where both sides were missing starters. For the Hawks, Jalen Johnson remained out and De’Andre Hunter joined him on the bench due to right knee soreness. For the Heat, Jimmy Butler was unavailable.
The Hawks faced an immediate 9-point deficit seemingly less than a heartbeat after the opening tip. Miami’s aggressive defense gave the Hawks early problems as it usual does in recent years. Still, the Hawks began to slowly claw back into the contest.
Dejounte Murray was a major catalyst for the early turnaround, as he went on a personal 10-0 run.