MIAMI — It is the next gear that creates the fear.
Sunday, in Game 1 of this best-of-seven opening-round playoff series, it came in the second quarter, when the Miami Heat decided a rout was better than doubt, in what turned into a 24-point blowout win.
Tuesday night at FTX Arena, Erik Spoelstra’s team this time took it up a level in the third quarter behind the play of Jimmy Butler, on the way to a 115-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
