The 129-117 loss to Miami was Atlanta's third straight and left the Hawks 2-3, one game behind sixth-place Charlotte. Cleveland visits tonight on a three-game win streak, and then the Hawks start a three-stop road trip in New Orleans on October 31.
Miami Won the Middle
Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks pointed out that Atlanta actually finished better at the rim, 63.9 percent to Miami's 61.4. The gap came in floater range: Miami went 10-16 and Atlanta went 4-18. The Heat built a lead as big as 18, and the Hawks never led by more than 3. Jalen Johnson had 12 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists but shot 4-12 and finished -23. When your engine has a night like that, the margin follows him.
Flemings Earned the Closing Five
Kingston Flemings, 19 years old, scored 23 on 9-12 shooting, and 14 of those came in the fourth quarter. Quin Snyder closed with Flemings next to Dyson Daniels, Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu. Alexander-Walker added 23 and was +6, the only Hawk on the plus side. One great night isn't a trend yet, but it does put Flemings in the conversation for real minutes.
Cleveland, Then the Road
The Cavaliers come in 3-1 with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, James Harden and Jarrett Allen, and they list no injuries. Atlanta's frontcourt is still thin. Mouhamed Gueye is out with a left foot injury and an estimated return of November 20, and Henri Veesaar is out with a right knee injury. Aaron Wiggins has been cleared after a left knee listing. The big question is whether Flemings holds his closing spot against a Mitchell-Harden backcourt or Snyder goes back to experience.
When do the Hawks play the Cavaliers?
Atlanta hosts Cleveland tonight, October 29. After that the Hawks go on the road to New Orleans on October 31, Indiana on November 2 and Washington on November 4.
How did Kingston Flemings play against the Heat?
Flemings scored 23 points on 9-12 shooting off the bench, with five rebounds and five assists. He scored 14 in the fourth quarter and was on the floor to close the game.
