Atllanta Hawks

Resilient Hawks look to tie playoff series with Heat Sunday night in Atlanta

ATLANTA — They haven’t been the Hawks of 2021 in the playoffs so far, but Atlanta still has a chance to tie their NBA Eastern Division first round playoff series with the Miami Heat Sunday night. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena.

On Friday, Atlanta won a nail-biter over the Heat 111-110, thanks to Trae Young’s running floater with just over four seconds left in the game.

Miami still has the advantage and leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

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The Hawks played by far their best game of the series Friday night. Young led the way with 24 points, but five other Hawks players also scored in double digits, which made things more of a team effort.

Here’s a look at what you can expect Sunday night:

Series: Miami leads 2-1. Each team has won their games at home so far.

Tip-Off: Sunday night at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena

Tickets: Per the Hawks, the game is officially sold-out.

Storylines for Atlanta: Can Young break out? The Heat defense has clamped down on the Hawks All-star limiting his effectiveness for most of the series. Can the supporting cast continue to step up? Bogdan Bogdanovic has had a very good series scoring points and helping the Hawks ball handling, taking some pressure off of Young. John Collins is still not healthy and has struggled. Onyeka Okongwu has been the only consistent force in the paint for Atlanta and with Clint Capela still injured, will likely be counted on to keep Miami off the glass.

Storylines for Miami: PG Kyle Lowry left game three with a hamstring injury. Lowry’s status for Game 4 has not been determined. His defense has been a big reason the Heat have kept Young under control. If Lowry cannot play, the Heat will turn to Tyler Herro to try and keep Young from breaking out, something Young is capable of doing at any time.

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No matter the result, Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Miami. The winner of the series will move on to play either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Toronto Raptors. The 76ers currently lead their best-of-seven series 3-1.

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