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Trae Young was in his bag as the Atlanta Hawks blow past Miami Heat to book a playoff spot.
The Atlanta Hawks recorded a 116-105 win against the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference Play-in Matchup that took place in the early hours of Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
The Miami Heat finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and hosted the Atlanta Hawks the eighth seed.
It was a red-hot start from the Hawks as they put up 36 points in the first quarter to establish a nine-point lead early.
The Hawks second unit did not relent in the second quarter putting up 29 points to take a 15-point lead to the halftime break.
The Heat got their offense working in the third quarter and put up 28 points but the deficit was 11.
The Hawks executed down the stretch in the fourth quarter as they held on for an 11-point victory.
Trae Young propels Hawks past Heat
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young was in spectacular form in the play-in game against the Heat.
There were reports before the game that the Hawks’ front office has the green light from ownership to consider trade opportunities involving Young.
Young paid those reports no attention as he went nuclear with his playmaking and shot-making.
In 37 minutes of action, Young put up 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
He made eight of his 18 shots, struggled to make just one of eight from three-point range but was eight of nine from the free throw line.
Onyeka Okongwu shines for Hawks against Heat
Onyeka Okongwu a player of Nigerian descent did massive work coming off the bench for the Hawks.
In 20 minutes of action, Okongwu put up 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
He made four of his five shots not attempting from three-point range and was a perfect two from the free throw line.
Nigerian Heat contingent struggle against Hawks
The Nigerian contingent with the Miami Heat were not in top form against the Hawks.
Big center of Nigerian descent Femi 'Bam' Adebayo was unable to put up huge numbers against the Hawks front court of Onyenka Okongwu and Clint Capela.
Adebayo in 42 minutes of action, put up 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three assists, and two blocks.
He made five of his 12 shots and was two of four from the free-throw line.
Nigeria's senior basketball star Gabe Vincent Nnamdi also had a difficult night for the Heat against the Hawks.
In 25 minutes of action, Vincent put up six points, three rebounds, and two assists and made just two of his six shots.
Hawks blow past Heat to face Celtics
The victory against the Heat means that the Hawks claim the seven seed in the Eastern Conference.
Young will now lead the Hawks to face the second-seed Boston Celtics the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
The Heat have a chance to make the playoff as the eight seed when they take on the winner of the other Eastern Conference play-in match up featuring the Toronto Raptos and Chicago Bulls.
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