Jalen Johnson’s latest triple-double guides Hawks over Heat
Jalen Johnson posted a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the host Miami Heat 127-115 on Tuesday night.
It was Johnson's ninth triple-double of the season, second most in the NBA.
The Hawks, who broke a two-game losing streak, also got 26 points off the bench from CJ McCollum.
Atlanta, which led in the fourth quarter by as many as 23 points, is the only team in the league that has a winning record on the road (16-13) and a losing mark at home (9-14).
Miami was led by Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had a team-high 21 points off the bench. Pelle Larsson added 18 points, Bam Adebayo had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds and Davion Mitchell posted a team-high 10 assists.
The Heat were without Andrew Wiggins due to left hamstring tightness. Wiggins joined two other Heat starters on the sidelines: All-Star Norman Powell (personal reasons) and Tyler Herro (ribs). Powell has missed three consecutive games. Herro has missed 11 straight.
Due to those absences, Miami's Myron Gardner, an undrafted rookie, made just his second start, and he scored 14 points. Veteran Simone Fontecchio also got a start, his third with Miami, and scored 18 points.
The Hawks continue to play without two key players: Kristaps Porzingis (foot) and Onyeka Okongwu (facial fracture).
Atlanta led 33-23 after a first quarter in which Miami was held to 37% shooting, including 1-for-9 on 3-pointers.
The Hawks stretched their lead to 67-50 at halftime, outshooting Miami 50% to 37.5% in the second quarter. Atlanta also made 7 of 15 3-pointers in that quarter.
Johnson led all first-half scorers with 15 points.
Miami cut its third-quarter deficit to five points, but the Hawks rallied and led 98-81 at the end of the period.
The Heat got as close as 13 points in the fourth quarter before the Hawks pulled away for good.
For the game, Atlanta made 21 3-pointers to just eight for Miami. McCollum was 6 for 9 to lead Atlanta's attack from the arc.