After facing sets of trials, inconsistencies, and challenging situations this season, the Atlanta Hawks proudly glided themselves to the postseason stage after dismantling the Miami Heat, 116-105, in the 2023 Play-In tournament.
Coach Quin Snyder, who boldly took the challenge of taking the team’s coaching keys upon the departure of Nate McMillan in midseason, can’t be more delighted with how his squad performed well for the must-win game.
“Our guys are trying to be the best version of ourselves at the end of the year,” Snyder said, via Associated Press. “The year’s not over. So hopefully, we can take this and continue to build on it. It’s one game – but it was our game.”
The Hawks have entered the scenes in South Beach being looked at by many as underdogs, considering the Heat, albeit also an inconsistent team this year, has been battle-tested with their veteran-laden squad led by Jimmy Butler
But on Tuesday, they came out more aggressive, crashing down the boards while activating a collective effort from seven players draining double-digit scoring output.
The Hawks manhandled the Heat in terms of the rebounding totals, recording 63 over 39. They went feasting also on the offensive glass with 22.
As a further testament to their dominance down low, Atlanta dominated the paint with 64 total points, contrasting Miami’s 46.
“We were just the more physical team tonight,” Atlanta star Trae Young said, who finished with 25 points and eight boards (per Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com). “That was a big emphasis tonight, just being more physical. That’s the main thing.”
Now locked to the seventh spot, they are slated to face a title-aspiring Boston Celtics for the first round of the playoffs. Their match-up will kick off on Sunday in TD Garden.
“Obviously, Boston is a really good team,” Young said. “But I haven’t really looked too far ahead. I mean, obviously I watched them all year.
“They’ve been playing really well.”
