Heat Vs Hawks: Herro returns as Heat rout Hawks 128-97
Tyler Herro returned and helped the Heat begin their post-All-Star break push with a 128-97 road win over the Hawks, a decisive result in the latest heat vs hawks matchup that moved Miami to 30-27 while Atlanta fell to 27-31.
Heat Vs Hawks: 128-97 road rout
The Heat defeated the Hawks, 128-97, in a victory that immediately changed the standings: the Heat moved to 30-27 and the Hawks dropped to 27-31. The 31-point margin underscored Miami’s control of the game and supplied a clear start to the team’s post-All-Star break push.
Herro's return after a buckle rib fracture
Herro had been sidelined since January 15 with a rib injury but returned for this game after a lengthy absence. He suffered a buckle rib fracture affecting three ribs during a January 10 game in Indiana, was able to play three more games after that while receiving Toradol shots, and was later shut down when an MRI revealed the extent of the injury. Before the layoff he had been limited to just 11 outings, averaging 21. 9 points in 31. 7 minutes per game with a. 497/. 358/. 902 shooting line.
What the result means now
The heat vs hawks result offers an immediate boost for Miami’s offense, which had fallen to 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating since December 5; Herro appeared in six games during that stretch. With Herro back in the rotation, the Heat begin a stretch of games that will test whether his scoring and availability can sustain a push up the standings.
Herro is expected to practice on Thursday and is projected to return to game action in the coming days if he does not experience a setback. That practice is the next confirmed step before his reintegration into the lineup.
