Heat Beat Hawks In Game 1

     The Miami Heat opened up the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs with a 115-91 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at FTX Arena on Sunday. The Heat are the top seed in the Eastern Conference for just the fourth time in franchise history. 

     It was the first postseason game under the newly named FTX Arena. Game 2 between both Southeast Division clubs will be on Tuesday night. 

     It was tied 7-7 and then Miami went on a 14-4 spurt to lead 23-17 after one quarter. The Heat scored eight straight points to go up by 15 points 41-26 with 5:56 left in the first half. Miami held a 59-40 advantage at halftime. Atlanta could not gain any ground and trailed 86-60 at the end of three quarters.

     Duncan Robinson had a new playoff career-high 27 points and a postseason franchise record of eight three-pointers for Miami. Jimmy Butler had 21 points while P.J. Tucker added 16 points. Kyle Lowry fell short of a double-double with 10 points and nine assists. Trae Young of the Hawks was held to eight points.