5 takeaways from Atlanta’s series-saving comeback over Miami

5 Takeaways from the uneven, seasick-inducing, back-and-forth Sport 3 between the Hawks and Warmth that gave us a thriller and now … a collection:

1. “Ice” lastly heats up

For the primary 11.5 quarters of this first-round collection, Hawks star Trae Younger was completely on defrost. He shot lower than 30% total, a head-scratching 10% from deep, lacked a signature second, spoke in regards to the activity of making an attempt to out-think Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra — after which hit Miami with a sucker punch no one noticed coming.

Within the ultimate three minutes Friday, he outscored the Warmth 10-8, together with the eventual game-winner on a 10-foot floater with 4.4 seconds left. Higher late than by no means for Younger, who, by comparability, was a completely totally different participant final postseason. If you happen to recall, he grew to become a villain in New York, then triggered the bitter breakup between Ben Simmons and the Sixers, then outplayed two-time MVP Giannis Antetekounmpo in Sport 1 of the East Finals when he dropped 48 factors earlier than being reduce down by a freakish ankle harm. Younger was one of many league’s postseason billboard faces.

Nicely: What occurred between then and now?

When this collection started, Spoelstra appeared decided to lure him consistently and power the ball out of Younger’s palms and put different Hawks on the spot, and this labored when Miami took a 2-0 lead after which used a blistering third quarter to go up 11 factors in Sport 3. Younger was flummoxed by then, however as nice scorers typically do, he discovered a manner, particularly when it counts. He solely made six baskets all sport, however 4 within the fourth.

Within the course of, he gave the Hawks hope — and the Warmth one thing extra to consider as they reevaluated their plans for him for Sport 4. How can they steal the arrogance of a participant who refuses to lose any?

“I didn’t have any doubt that if I shot it, I wasn’t going to (miss) it,” Younger mentioned.

2. Jimmy was no Herro

On Miami’s ultimate two possessions, the ball went to Jimmy Butler, and on the floor this appears wonderful and comprehensible. Butler, in any case, was coming off a 45-point Sport 2 and does personal a somewhat thick resume of being good in these moments.

However he misfired each instances, on troublesome fallaway jumpers that weren’t even shut. In that sense, he couldn’t match or prime Younger.

And on this sport, in that state of affairs, possibly the higher choice was Tyler Herro? The Hawks had nothing for Herro your complete sport; he ripped by means of their protection, scored 24 factors on iso performs and was open on each of these ultimate two journeys down the ground. However he by no means received a glance.

Given how he was essentially the most reliable participant on the roster this season, and certifiably stamped his favourite standing for the Sixth Man of the Yr award, Herro has earned the fitting to have a play drawn up for him in tense conditions. Additionally, the Hawks put their greatest defender, De’Andre Hunter, on Butler for these two ultimate journeys — which makes it extra complicated why Herro was ignored.

Within the bigger image, the Warmth want to deal with their late-game execution. Within the ultimate 10 seconds of video games wherein they have been tied or trailing by a couple of as three factors this season, they’re now taking pictures 1-for-13.

3. Kyle Lowry limps dwelling

Miami performed the fourth quarter with out Kyle Lowry and also you marvel if the Warmth’s management and course down the stretch was broken because of this. Lowry suffered a hamstring harm and whereas he wouldn’t rule out taking part in Sunday, these accidents are difficult.

Given how accidents to key gamers are instantly flaring up within the playoffs — Khris Middleton, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and so forth. — nothing might be taken without any consideration. Particularly with a 36-year-old level guard who depends on shifty quickness.

In his place, Herro will get the majority of the run on the level, however Miami actually lacks a pure alternative; Gabe Vincent had three turnovers and 5 missed pictures in six makes an attempt in his stint Friday. With Lowry within the therapy room, Miami lacked a reliable ballhandler and decision-maker when it got here time to answer Younger’s heroics within the ultimate couple of minutes.

And so: All the pieces relies on Lowry’s therapeutic powers over the subsequent 48 hours. If this have been the center of January, he in all probability wouldn’t play Sunday regardless. And the Warmth may lean on the aspect of warning anyway and take their probabilities, as a result of they nonetheless personal a 2-1 lead and any aggravation of a hamstring harm might linger.

4. Nah Capella

The Hawks aren’t precisely within the clear but; they nonetheless should take care of the unsure standing of their beginning heart, Clint Capela, who suffers from a hyperextended knee.

His knee was to be re-evaluated earlier than Sunday’s Sport 4, so the Hawks await phrase from the medics on that. In the meantime, they purchased themselves a while by profitable Sport 3, when the Warmth and particularly Bam Adebayo blew an ideal alternative to make the most of his absence.

Right here’s what’s bizarre: With out having to take care of Capela’s protection, Adebayo’s affect was somewhat tame Friday; he by no means triggered the Hawks any nice fear or destruction. Miami didn’t power feed him the ball (he took simply 9 pictures) and he made just one basket in a good fourth quarter.

Even weirder: Hawks backup heart Onyeka Okongwu had an even bigger affect down the stretch with seven factors within the fourth, not lacking a shot. And bear in mind, this was towards a participant, Adebayo, who was (considerably justifiably) miffed that he wasn’t a finalist for Kia Defensive Participant of the Yr.

If Capela returns to the lineup and hurts Miami on decide and rolls with Younger, the Warmth may remorse blowing the prospect it had with out him.

5. Max participant

Duncan Robinson opened the collection ballistically by making eight of 9 from deep and scoring 27 factors in 23 minutes. Within the two video games since, he has six factors complete.

This falls according to his quirky and complicated profession path. Robinson got here from nowhere to carve out an essential function within the Miami rotation by sinking 3-pointers and spacing the ground. After back-to-back seasons of taking pictures 40%-plus from that distance, he was awarded final summer time with a five-year, $90 million extension — the most important ever given to an undrafted participant.

After which he fell to Earth, struggling together with his shot and shedding his place within the beginning lineup this season to Max Strus who, very similar to Robinson, got here from nowhere to earn his spot. Strus gave Atlanta points Friday by dropping 20 factors and was a key determine within the third quarter (10 factors) when Miami hustled again to imagine the lead.

So the place is that this headed? Nicely, truly, Miami’s in a great spot. Even when Robinson struggles — and he’s nearly unplayable if he can’t hit 3-pointers — there’s somebody prepared and capable of step into that long-distance function. There’s basically an additional layer of insurance coverage in case considered one of them turns chilly.

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