The Atlanta Hawks had two big video games towards the Miami Heat over a three-day span. They misplaced them each, first 117-109 on Saturday, then 130-128 on Monday.
The end result? Atlanta, clinging to the No. 8 seed, now trails the No. 7 Heat by two video games within the loss column, however that lead is successfully three because the Heat additionally secured the tiebreaker on Monday through a 3-1 head-to-head benefit.
With 17 video games to play, Atlanta now trails the No. 6 Nets by 5 within the loss column. The Hawks do have one matchup remaining with the Nets, however to make up that a lot floor at this level within the season is unlikely.
For Atlanta, the urgent concern now turns into hanging onto the No. 8 seed, which retains them within the first play-in sport. That’s vital, as it might solely require one win to safe a spot within the postseason area.
Fall to No. 9 or 10, and now it’s important to win two play-in video games to advance.
This goes to get dicey for the Hawks, who lead the No. 9 Raptors by only one within the loss column. The Hawks additionally maintain only a one-loss lead over the No. 10 Wizards, whom they nonetheless play three extra instances.
Fact is, Atlanta is not even out of the lottery woods. No. 11 Chicago is simply three again of the Hawks with one head-to-head remaining. If the Bulls have been to win that sport, they might safe the tiebreaker over Atlanta.
The Hawks picked the fallacious time, and the fallacious opponent, to lose two straight. Quin Snyder has his work lower out for him. Atlanta’s predictable offense is a matter, and this protection, which ranks bottom-10 league-wide, will not be going to chop it. The Heat common 108 factors per sport, by far the bottom quantity within the league, and the Hawks simply gave up 247 factors to them over a two-game span.
