MIAMI — A Heat season that has felt like a season-long slog, with one step forward followed by one step back, now teeters on the brink of expiration.
Miami was a hot mess in the first half — falling behind by 24 — then rallied twice in the second half but ultimately succumbed to the Atlanta Hawks, 116-105, in a play-in game on Tuesday in downtown Miami.
The Heat was pounded on the glass, 63-39, repeatedly allowed second-chance points, and could never pull closer than six in the fourth quarter.