Hawks handle short-handed Heat, 127-92

The Atlanta Hawks hosted (some of) the Miami Heat on Thursday evening in what would be the last preseason game of 2021 for the Hawks. The Heat have one more preseason matchup Friday evening with the Boston Celtics, and they chose to sit nearly their entire rotation for Thursday’s tilt in Atlanta.

The Hawks were nearly at full strength, with just Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams and Onyeka Okongwu out.

The Hawks regulars did work against Miami’s skeleton squad as you would expect, which is a good sign. Atlanta led 67-43 at the half, with Trae Young tallying 16 points and 10 assists in the first half. Clint Capela made his preseason debut, and also posted a first-half double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

De’Andre Hunter looked spry early, which is an encouraging sign as he works his way back from the knee surgery that knocked him out of the 2021 playoffs after the Hawks’ playoff series win vs. the New York Knicks.

Collins had seven points, five rebounds and three steals in the Hawks’ dominant opening first half, and was back to making posters.

The Hawks lead by 25 at the end of the third quarter, and the win was pretty much in hand from there.

The starters would not re-enter in the fourth, and the Hawks ultimately won by a score of 127-92.

Young finished with 27 points and 15 assists, with Hunter adding 19 points. Collins finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hawks will open the regular season Oct. 21 vs. the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena.

Stay tuned.