AJC: Big game tonight . . . for the Heat?

[Hawksquawk]

Miami–So we know the Hawks think this game tonight is the start of a stretch that will let us know what they are about. Listening to the Heat at shootaround today, they think the Hawks are a test, too.

Fresh off a beatdown of the Cavs following a few days of LeBron-centered turmoil, Miami is headed out on a four-game road trip after this.

They say they consider this game against the Hawks a big deal.

“For a couple different reasons,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “For us to build on these three games, but also we are playing a hot team, regardless of Joe Johnson being out. And they are ahead of us [in the East]. We don’t need anymore motivation than that.”

I suppose the Hawks can be considered “hot” considering their five-game winning streak, though it’s not the word I’d use after that weird W last night. Definitely “resilient” and also “fortunate.” At this point they could use a victory against a good team just for some confidence.

In any event, it’s Atlanta’s offense …

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