NBA: Heat rout Hawks in regular-season finale, on to Charlotte for play-in game

Bam Adebayo delivered a dominant double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the host Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 143-117, on Sunday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Miami (43-39) also received strong contributions from Jaime Jaquez Jr., who scored 26 points with five assists, and Norman Powell, who added 25 points in his return from a groin injury.

With the victory, the Heat head into the play-in tournament, where they will face the Charlotte Hornets in their opening game. Miami has now reached the play-in stage for the fourth consecutive season and has gone 5-10 over its last 15 games.

Atlanta (46-36), which had already secured its first playoff appearance since 2023, rested its entire starting lineup along with several reserves as part of injury management and rest decisions.

Among those sidelined were Jalen Johnson (rest), Dyson Daniels (toe sprain), CJ McCollum (rest), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (toe sprain), Jonathan Kuminga (knee/injury management), Gabe Vincent (knee inflammation), Jock Landale (ankle sprain) and Onyeka Okongwu (finger sprain).

“The focus for us is to get into the postseason healthy,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said shortly before tip-off.

Veteran guard Buddy Hield led Atlanta with a game-high 31 points, while Corey Kispert contributed 21 points in the loss.

Miami also rested several players, including Simone Fontecchio (sore left ankle), Pelle Larsson (right leg contusion), Dru Smith (toe sprain) and Nikola Jovic (left ankle sprain).

However, the Heat welcomed back key players from injury, including Powell, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell.

Herro finished with five points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in 22 minutes, while Mitchell added 12 points in 26 minutes.

Adebayo set the tone early, scoring 13 points in the first quarter as Miami took a 33-24 lead. The Heat maintained control in the second quarter and entered halftime ahead 70-61.

Miami shot efficiently in the first half, making 58.7% of its attempts (27 of 46), while also holding a 40-28 advantage in paint points and a 14-4 edge in fastbreak points. Adebayo led all scorers at the break with 17 points.

Atlanta, which never led in the game, trimmed the deficit to six midway through the third quarter, but Miami responded to extend its advantage to 99-84 heading into the fourth.

The Heat pulled away decisively in the final period, outscoring the Hawks 44-33 to secure the comfortable win.

— Field Level Media / Reuters