Hawks at Heat
THE STORY: When LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined forces with Dwyane Wade last year, the trio immediately declared that multiple NBA championships would be delivered to Miami. After falling just shy of the crown in June, the Heat have established themselves as the early title favorites this season. Miami is off to its first 5-0 start in franchise history, showing it can win close contests or blow opposing teams out of the gym in dominant fashion. "I think we're where we should be," Wade said. "I think we're only going to get better." The Heat open a three-game homestand by hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Monday in the first of two games between the teams in four days.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), Sun Sports (Miami)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-1): Atlanta opened the campaign with three straight wins by an average of 20.3 points. They fell back to earth in a 95-84 loss to Houston on Saturday, managing a season-low 16 assists. Center Al Horford, a year removed from being a third-team All-NBA selection, has been slow out the gate, averaging 11.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. Atlanta has been stout defensively, allowing 86.5 points per game.
ABOUT THE HEAT (5-0): Bosh scored 24 points to carry the Heat to a 129-90 throttling of Charlotte on New Year’s Day. The outburst was the most points any NBA team has scored this season. It came on the heels of Wade hitting late game-winning shots in each of the previous two wins. Coach Erik Spoelstra has opened up the offense this season with strong returns, as the Heat are averaging 104.8 points – third in the league.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. James averaged 33.0 points – his highest output against any East foe – as the Heat won three of four meetings with Atlanta last year.
2. The Hawks’ three wins have come against teams that are a combined 3-10.