The Miami Heat finally remembered how to win. After weeks of blowing leads and stumbling through fourth quarters, they put together a complete performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, dominating the second half en route to a comfortable 131-109 victory.
It felt like muscle memory kicking in - the little plays, the defensive intensity, the ball movement all clicking into place.
This wasn't just any win. It was a statement. The Heat shot lights out from deep, draining 23 three-pointers. Duncan Robinson rediscovered his stroke. Davion Mitchell tied his career-high with five triples. Even Haywood Highsmith got in on the action, knocking down four from long range in a surprise 27-minute outing.
But the real story was the Heat's second half surge. Tied at 65 at the break, Miami locked in defensively and let it fly on offense. They shot a blistering 60% from the field and 52% from three after halftime. Every made field goal was assisted. The ball was popping, players were cutting, open looks were plentiful. It was Heat basketball at its finest.
Erik Spoelstra pointed to a key stretch in the second quarter as the turning point. After giving up some easy baskets, he challenged the team to tighten up defensively. They responded emphatically after the break.
This performance was sorely needed. The Heat hadn't won comfortably in over a month. Questions swirled about the roster, the rotations, the team's identity. For one night at least, Miami looked like the squad that made a surprise Finals run last season.
The challenge now is sustaining this level of play. Was this just a hot shooting night against a porous Hawks defense? Or have the Heat rediscovered their winning formula? Time will tell, but there's renewed optimism in Miami.
New players stepped up
Andrew Wiggins continues to impress since joining the Heat. He got to the free throw line 10 times on Wednesday, showcasing the downhill attacking style Spoelstra wants. His ability to generate easy points could be crucial down the stretch.
The point guard situation remains fluid. Davion Mitchell had the hot hand in this one, connecting on a career-high-tying five three-pointers. Terry Rozier got his second straight DNP-CD, but he'll get another chance soon. Alec Burks played five forgettable minutes.
For now, Miami can exhale. They got the win they desperately needed and looked good doing it. If this version of the Heat shows up consistently, they'll have a chance of climbing the East standings. But in the wildly competitive Eastern Conference, there's little margin for error. Every game matters as teams jockey for postseason positioning.
The Heat will look to build on this performance Friday against the Indiana Pacers. Another strong showing would go a long way toward solidifying their identity heading into the final stretch of the season. After weeks of frustration, Miami finally has some positive momentum. Now comes the hard part - keeping it rolling.