Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
Key Points
Miami Heat face Atlanta Hawks amid both teams’ recent losses and injury concerns.
Key Heat players Adebayo (questionable) and Herro (out); Hawks missing Porzingis, Dante.
Dyson Daniels returns for Atlanta; matchup airs Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST.
The Miami Heat are on the road on Friday night as they travel to take on the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference showdown.
Miami enters Friday’s game with a 15-15 record after losing at home to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) — Source: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In Tuesday’s loss to the Raptors, Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the way for the Heat as he recorded 21 points and two rebounds off the bench while Norman Powell added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists of his own.
Now Miami will try to bounce back on Friday night as they face off against the Hawks in a tough road matchup.
On the other side, Atlanta enters Friday’s contest with a 15-16 record after losing at home to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) — Source: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jalen Johnson led the way for the Hawks in Tuesday’s loss as he ended the game with 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists while Trae Young recorded 22 points and 15 assists.
While both teams are looking to pick up a victory in Friday night’s matchup, both squads may be without multiple key players due to injuries.
For the Heat, they have five players listed on their injury report, including both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo dribbles the ball in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Kaseya Center.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo dribbles the ball in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Kaseya Center.
Miami has listed Adebayo as questionable due to lower back tightness and he is in danger of missing his first game since November 17.
If Adebayo is sidelined on Friday, Kel’el Ware will likely draw a start in his place while Jaquez Jr. and Simone Fontecchio could also have increased roles.
The Heat have also listed Keshad Johnson as questionable while both Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson are expected to play as they have been listed as probable.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14)
Herro has been ruled out due to a toe injury as he will miss his sixth consecutive contest, which will likely give Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith increased roles.
Hawks Injury Report, Will Dyson Daniels, Kristaps Porzingis Play?
On the other side, the Hawks have three players listed on their injury report, though guard Dyson Daniels is not one of them.
Dyson Daniels
Dyson Daniels
Of course, Daniels missed Tuesday’s loss to the Bulls due to a hip injury but he will return on Friday night against the Heat where he will likely have a large role alongside Young in the backcourt.
Atlanta has ruled out Porzingis as he continues to be sidelined due to an illness, which will likely allow Onyeka Okongwu to continue to start in his place.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (8)
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (8)
The Hawks have also ruled out N’Faly Dante due to a torn ACL while Mouhamed Gueye is listed as questionable with a right shoulder sprain.
Fans can catch Friday night’s matchup between the Heat and Hawks from Atlanta at 7:00 p.m. EST.
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Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22).