Apr 19, 2009 11:07 pm US/Eastern
Heat Lose Game Game 1, 90-64
ATLANTA (CBS4.com) ―
Things didn't exactly go as planned for the Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Hawks. Josh Smith led the way with 23 points as the Hawks crushed Miami 90-64, on Sunday night in Atlanta.
With Smith delivering one rim-shaking dunk after another and plenty of teammates chipping in, the Hawks made Miami look like a one-man team, running Dwyane Wade and the Heat ragged.
Wade scored 19 points, 11 below his NBA-leading average. Michael Beasley finished with 10 points. No other Heat player managed to reach double figures as the Hawks tied a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a playoff game.
Wade spent much of the night on his backside or complaining to the referees, his frustration growing as the Hawks turned the opener to the best-of-seven series into a laugher before halftime.
Miami was held to its lowest point total of the season -- its previous low was 68 -- and the Hawks tied the mark they set against the Charlotte Hornets in a 1998 playoff victory.
Wade may have been the best player on the court, but the Hawks clearly had the best team. Smith led the way, firing everyone up with three thunderous dunks during a decisive second quarter in which the Hawks outscored the Heat 35-18 to build a 59-39 lead at halftime.
The Hawks made 11 of 16 (61 percent) in the second quarter, outrebounded the Heat 12-7, doled out eight assists and turned seven turnovers into 10 points. Miami shot just 39 percent (7 of 18), the final attempt a desperation heave by Wade, who ran into an Atlanta player on the follow-through and was sprawled out on the court as the horn sounded.
He got up slowly, clapped his hands in disgust and walked to the locker room.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Atlanta.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
