Hawks drop third straight as Heat win 129-117

The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Miami Heat 129-117 on Wednesday night, falling for the third time in a row. The defeat dropped the Hawks below the .500 mark for the first time this season, leaving them with a 2-3 record. The team has not won a game since their season opener.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the effort required by the visitors. He told reporters that Miami deserved credit for how they played and that they simply beat Atlanta. Snyder noted that the team faced large issues with turnovers, which they have not fully overcome. He said the Heat answered every punch the Hawks threw with one of their own.

The Hawks trailed in the first quarter and never climbed out of the deficit. They scored 31 points in the first period but allowed the Heat to score 42. Miami took a 25-12 lead at one point in the game. The Hawks finished the first half down 61-53.

Kingston Flemings provided a spark for the home team. The guard scored a season-high 24 points in the third quarter. He also attempted a three-point shot that was good. Flemings said the team stayed deep and continued to push despite the deficit. He added that they need to be consistent and show more team chemistry to keep playing through losses.

The Hawks' offense struggled against the Heat's defense. They shot 35 percent from the field and 9 percent from three-point range. Miami outscored Atlanta by 27 points in the second half. The Heat's Andrew Wiggins had predicted earlier in the week that Miami was hours away from its first victory. Wiggins spoke to reporters on Wednesday, stating that the team was ready to win.

The Hawks' next game is scheduled for Thursday. They will play against the Brooklyn Nets. The team will have one day to rest before taking the court again. This marks the third consecutive loss for Atlanta, which has won only two games in its first five contests.

The Hawks' roster includes players such as Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Johnson scored 18 points in the loss. Okongwu added 14 points and 8 rebounds. The team's next opponent, the Nets, will be looking to capitalize on the Hawks' current losing streak.

The Hawks' coach, Quin Snyder, emphasized the need for improvement in ball security. He said the team has had five turnovers in the last three games. He noted that the team needs to be more disciplined in their decision-making. The Hawks will continue their season with a game against the Nets on Thursday night.