Heat Hope To Extend Hawks' Losing Streak
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ATLANTA (SportsDirect Inc) -- The Atlanta Hawks look to rebound from two straight double-digit losses when they host the Miami Heat on Monday night.
The Hawks, who suffered a 13-point loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday and were routed 103-78 by stingy San Antonio at home two days later, must face another of the league's top defensive units next.
"It's a challenge for us on how we can get better offensively against a really good defensive team," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "Lot to learn. … Lot of room for improvement. We have to embrace that."
Miami, which stands second in the league in scoring defense, rallied from eight points down in the final three minutes to beat visiting Memphis 100-97 on Sunday night. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Heat as Chris Bosh poured in 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Miami, which has dropped five of seven on the road, will try to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Hawks – including four in a row at Atlanta.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE HEAT (13-9): Bosh has responded with 45 points combined the last two games after being held to a season-low seven against Charlotte on Wednesday. Dwyane Wade is averaging just over 21 points in the last seven games while shooting 52.9 percent from the field after registering 14 in 30 minutes on Sunday, including a big basket late. Gerald Green has scored in double figures in three consecutive games for the first time this season – posting 16 on Sunday off the bench in 33 minutes.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (14-11): Atlanta roared out of the gate with seven victories in its first eight contests, but is three games under .500 since and is in the bottom half of the league in scoring. "We are not playing very good basketball right now," Hawks forward Al Horford told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Paul Millsap has been a consistent force, leading the team in scoring (18) and rebounding (9.3), while Jeff Teague (15.9 points, 6.1 assists) and Horford (15.2, 7.4 boards) are contributing.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Atlanta G Kyle Korver is eight 3-pointers from tying Jason Terry (648) for third on the franchise's all-time list.
2. Miami C Hassan Whiteside did not have a block for the first time this season Sunday, but leads the league with 4.1 per contest.
3. The Hawks are 4-0 against Southeast Division opponents, including a 98-92 victory at Miami on Nov. 3.
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