Atlanta won the battle of staredowns and hard fouls yesterday, emerging from a four quarter slugfest with a 106-91 win over Miami in game five of their first round NBA playoff series.
Atlanta won the battle of staredowns and hard fouls yesterday, emerging from a four quarter slugfest with a 106-91 win over Miami in game five of their first round NBA playoff series.
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Joe Johnson scored 25 points for the Hawks who took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and are trying to reach the second round for the first time in 10 years.
There were plenty of testy moments in the game as Miami star Dwyane Wade banged his head on the floor in the first half. He later came back and finished with 29 points.
"There at the end it turned into a highlight show. A pickup game highlight reel, really trying to embarrass us," Miami's coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"Now we've played five games against each other. I don't think anybody on either side likes each other anymore."
It was the best game of the playoffs for Johnson as the Hawks took control in a second quarter that elevated them to a 63-40 halftime lead. Flip Murray added 23 points.
Early on, Wade collided with Josh Smith and hit the back of his head hard on the court. He stumbled to the locker room for treatment, holding a towel to his head.
Not long after the NBA's leading scorer returned, Al Horford was fouled hard by James Jones and fell into Wade on the way down, landing awkwardly on his right foot.
Horford managed to shoot two free throws, but it quickly became apparent he couldn't go on. He was helped to the locker room, his arms draped around two trainers, and didn't return.
"I'm a little sore, but we did a lot of treatment in the second half," Horford said. "That's what the playoffs are all about. We're playing hard out there."
Wade was already bothered by back spasms that contributed to a dismal nine-of-26 shooting performance in game four, which the Hawks won 81-71 to reclaim home-court advantage.
"As long as I'm here, I'm playing," Wade said. "I only missed one playoff game in my life, and that's because they (doctors) made me."
Still woozy from his blow to the head, Wade made only one-of-six shots in the first half as Atlanta pulled away.
The Hawks made 13-of-16 from the field in the second quarter, including their last 12 attempts.
With NBA commissioner David Stern looking on, both teams turned up the intensity level - and things nearly got out of hand in the first half.
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