The Miami Heat have done it. With their 123-114 overtime victory, the Heat have clinched the eighth seed in the East and will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
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The Heat were in control early in the game, as they were up 17 points at one point. Atlanta did battle back, however. Trae Young had ice in his veins and he led his Hawks right back in the game.
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With 8:09 remaining in the fourth quarter the Hawks tied the game at 88-88. This was the first time Atlanta tied the game since it was 0-0 at the start.
That’s how one-sided the game was for most of the game until the Hawks battled back. The game came down to the wire with the Hawks trailing 106-104 with 6.1 seconds left in the game.
Young has notoriously been known to be a clutch player. Tonight would be no different. Young tied the game with a driving layup with 1.3 seconds remaining in the game.
The Heat had one last chance and Wiggins got a decent look to win the game, but he missed as time expired. This Play-In game has had all the drama, so adding overtime in the mix felt just right.
The Heat started overtime shooting 4-4 from downtown. Miami couldn’t be stopped, not in this game. The Heat scored 17 in overtime, giving themselves a 123-114 victory.
Miami made history tonight as they became the first 10th seed to make the playoffs since the Play-In tournament started. This is truly an accomplishment they should be proud of, especially after losing Jimmy Butler this season.
Tyler Herro was, once again, the hero in the game. He out-dueled Young, scoring 30 to Young’s 29 points. The Heat have now clinched the final playoff berth and will face the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers.
Game 1 will be this Sunday at 7:00 PM EST.
