MIAMI — The Miami Heat secured a 122-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, buoyed by Duncan Robinson’s remarkable fourth-quarter performance. Robinson scored 21 of his 27 points in the final period, matching his personal best for points in a quarter, a feat he previously achieved in 2019.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 30 points, while Robinson’s explosive scoring in the fourth quarter was pivotal in overturning the Hawks’ lead. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra praised Robinson’s improvement, highlighting his significant impact on the game.
Trae Young continued his impressive form for the Hawks, finishing with 30 points and 13 assists. This marked his sixth consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, tying the second-longest such streak in NBA history. Only Oscar Robertson has surpassed this feat, with a six-game stretch in 1964 and a seven-game stretch from 1964 to 1965. Young joins the likes of Tiny Archibald, Michael Jordan, and Russell Westbrook in achieving this remarkable consistency.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 19 points for Miami, and Bam Adebayo had a strong all-around performance with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. The Heat initially trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but rallied back to take control in the latter stages.
Robinson’s 11-point scoring run in the fourth quarter was critical, and Herro’s three-pointer extended Miami’s lead to 104-96 with less than seven minutes remaining. Young acknowledged the depth and system of the Heat, which played a significant role in their victory.
Dejounte Murray scored 24 points for Atlanta, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23, with 20 coming in the first half. The Hawks’ record now reflects their reliance on high scoring, with a 1-14 record when scoring less than 123 points.
Miami has been effective defensively against Young, who has historically found it challenging to score against them. Young shot 10 for 22 and made 7 of 13 three-point attempts in Friday’s game, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter. Adebayo noted Miami’s strategy of presenting Young with different defensive coverages.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will host Memphis on Saturday, while the Heat will face Philadelphia on Monday in a highly anticipated Christmas Day matchup.
