Heat loses to Atlanta Hawks, and will need to win on Friday to make playoffs

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The Miami Heat lost to the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in game on Tuesday night, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".sznpu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".gxjem-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eiuwo-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Hawks outrebounded the Heat 63-39 and built a 24-point lead in the first half.

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Despite a second-half rally, the Heat could never pull closer than six points in the fourth quarter. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".tfucs-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - -16px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".codfx-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ctlsl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ciiww-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Hawks' victory advances them to the playoffs and sets up a first-round series against the Boston Celtics. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".trdoe-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370.848590850217px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".tamad-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".iggbl-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".nklsk-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".umegf-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".kssou-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Heat will host the winner of Wednesday's Toronto-Chicago play-in game on Friday night.

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The loser of Friday's game will be eliminated from the playoffs. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".eoszp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".pqodx-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ozjnp-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The winner will advance to play the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in a first-round playoff series starting on Sunday. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".xpwio-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370.848590850217px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ubcnm-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".fgncn-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eocrt-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".cgmnq-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Kyle Lowry had a season-high 33 points for the Heat in the loss.

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The Heat struggled with second-chance points and rebounding. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".xeape-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - -16px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".feeol-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eucif-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ozxpz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged the team's challenges this season and stressed the importance of regrouping for the upcoming game. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".dkker-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".fbssr-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".zcwfj-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".lttuw-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Heat will need to win on Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".utguf-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".pcmgl-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".jwtrt-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The loss to the Hawks leaves the Heat one loss away from being eliminated from the NBA playoffs.

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Heat loses to Atlanta Hawks, and will need to win on Friday to make playoffs

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The Hawks outrebounded the Heat 63-39 and built a 24-point lead in the first half.

The Heat will host the winner of Wednesday's Toronto-Chicago play-in game on Friday night.

Kyle Lowry had a season-high 33 points for the Heat in the loss.

The loss to the Hawks leaves the Heat one loss away from being eliminated from the NBA playoffs.