The Miami Heat take on the Atlanta Hawks tonight in their fifth preseason game. This is the second time the two teams have faced off this preseason.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The game can be viewed on Bally Sports Southeast, as well as on NBA League Pass.
In their first matchup of the preseason, Miami absolutely dominated. They won by nearly 30 points and looked great in what was both teams’ first game of the preseason.
As the two get set to play each other again tonight, what should the Miami Heat do in order to take home the win? On top of that, what should Heat fans be looking for throughout the game?
Things to look for during the Miami Heat vs. Hawks preseason game: More Marcus Garrett
So far this preseason, Marcus Garrett has been pretty quiet. He’s averaging the least amount of minutes and points per game on the entire team.
This is quite a weird stat considering he’s locked up on a two-way deal, and some of the guys getting more playing time likely won’t be playing with the Miami Heat this season.
Hopefully, he ends up getting more playing time in the coming games. He played great in Summer League, and if Herat develop him properly, he could turn himself into a quality NBA player.
Watch out to see if Erik Spoelstra gives him any more minutes tonight vs. the Hawks. He could end up surprising a lot of people if he gets significant playing time.
Things to look for during the Miami Heat vs. Hawks preseason game: A bounce-back game from Tyler Herro
After starting out the preseason hot, Tyler Herro cooled down last game. He didn’t end up shooting the ball well vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
Through Miami’s first three preseason games, Herro looked incredible. He was averaging around 25 points per game and looked as though he was in complete control.
However, he wasn’t as dominant in their last outing. He shot 3-15 from the field and 0-7 from deep when they took on the Hornets a few days ago.
In this game, watch out for a bounce-back game from Herro. Bad games happen, but what makes a player truly special is the ability to bounce back and not get caught up in a rut.
Herro made some comments in recent days saying that he wants to be put in the same category as the NBA’s young stars. He included the likes of Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant in that statement.
While Herro might not be quite there yet, he has the chance to insert himself into that conversation this year. Expect him to have a solid game after making a statement like that.
The greatest players in the NBA rarely have two off nights in a row. Watch out for Herro tonight against the Hawks, because a rebound game is in store.
Things to look for during the Miami Heat vs. Hawks preseason game: Max Strus & Duncan Robinson
These two players hold the keys for how well the Miami Heat perform from behind the arc this season. While this may not only apply to this game, it is certainly something to watch for each and every night.
Neither got a ton of playing time the other night vs. the Hornets and maybe they won’t again tonight. However, expect them to shoot lights out when given the chance.
Strus has been consistent for the most part, but Robinson hasn’t really been able to put together a big-time game. He had that one 20-point performance, but other than that he has looked shaky at times.
It just feels as though he could end up popping off one of these nights. Maybe that game will come tonight vs. the Atlanta Hawks.
Ideally, one of these two players should be on the court at all times. It gives the Heat a three-point threat unlike any other that can pull up even with a hand in his face.
If both of them are clicking on the same night, the team would be impossible to stop. But even if only one of them is shooting well, it still gives the Heat an elite shooter to play with.
With the lack of perimeter defense the Hawks have at times, look for these two to go bananas. The Miami Heat should look to feed them in this one.