Hawks defeat Heat in first road test of the season, 98-92

The Atlanta Hawks went into American Airlines Arena for their first true road test of the season Tuesday night, and came out on top over the Miami Heat, winning 98-92. Thabo Sefolosha was inactive for this game, as he continues to ease into things early in the season, nursing his ankle injury.

The Hawks and Heat were neck and neck in the first quarter. Kent Bazemore led the Hawks in scoring in the first quarter with 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting, with two 3-pointers. Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside were running the show for the Heat, as Dragic had 7 points, with Whiteside adding 6 points and 3 rebounds.

The second quarter was a great one for the Hawks. Atlanta went on a 12-0 run to start the quarter, with the Heat not scoring a basket until there was 7:16 left in the quarter, a Hassan Whiteside basket assisted by Dwyane Wade. Mike Scott and Justin Holiday both had good quarters, and were key in the Hawks run, where they were able to get a 41-26 lead with just under 7 minutes remaining in the half.

With just under a minute left in the half, Paul Millsap was driving down the lane, and was brought down hard by Dwyane Wade. While it was initially ruled a normal foul, the referees reviewed the play, and gave Wade a flagrant 1. Millsap was visibly shaken up from the contact, and was limping, but remained in the game and appeared to be alright. The Hawks would close out the quarter up 51-40.

Jeff Teague got the Hawks off to a good start in the third, with 7 points through 3:34 in the quarter, putting the Hawks up 62-47. The Hawks continued to struggle the most with Hassan Whiteside, who finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks through three quarters of play. Whiteside's effect wasn't great enough to help close the gap, as the Hawks went into the fourth up 79-65.

The Miami Heat would make it a game in the fourth quarter, with a 10-0 run to pull the game within four points at 79-75. Justin Holiday would end the run with a 3-pointer, making his first appearance since the second quarter. The Heat continued to carry momentum, but Paul Millsap helped bring that to a halt when the Hawks were up 85-80, and he had a driving basket that drew a foul, but he missed the free throw.

The next possession, Kent Bazemore pressured Goran Dragic into a turnover, that led to a Hawks basket after Hassan Whiteside was called for goaltending on a Paul Millsap shot in the paint, making it 89-80 Hawks with under four minutes remaining. Miami kept delivering blows that were answered by the Hawks, who came out with a 98-92 victory.

The Hawks will look to make it five straight wins Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets in Philips Arena.