GAME PREVIEW: Heat look to advance past Hawks in play-in game Tuesday

The Heat have won eight of their last nine against Atlanta at home.

Wake up, it’s game day!

The Miami Heat are seeking the first play-in victory of the 2022-23 season, as they face the Atlanta Hawks inside Kaseya Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The winner will officially lock up the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and take on the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Conversely, the loser will face on the winner between the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls, who play in the No. 9/10 seed play-in game on Wednesday, for the No. 8 seed.

Miami beat Atlanta in three of the four meetings this season, including both of its games at home. None of the four games were decided by more than eight points. Its most recent win against Atlanta came in a 130-128 victory on March 6, the second game of a home-home back-to-back for the Heat.

This contest marks a rematch of last year’s first-round affair, when the Heat won in five games. They have won eight of their last nine against Atlanta at home. Can it repeat history against Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and the lethal Atlanta Hawks?

We’ll find out Tuesday!

INACTIVE/INJURIES:

MIAMI:

• Nikola Jovic (back) — OUT

• Kyle Lowry (knee) — QUESTIONABLE

• Max Strus (finger) — PROBABLE

ATLANTA:

• Trent Forrest (G-League) — OUT

• Donovan Williams (G-League) — OUT

PROJECTED STARTING 5 (at time of publishing):

MIAMI:

• Gabe Vincent

• Tyler Herro

• Max Strus

• Jimmy Butler

• Bam Adebayo

ATLANTA:

• Trae Young

• Dejounte Murray

• De’Andre Hunter

• John Collins

• Clint Capela

BROADCAST INFO:

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

TV: TNT

RADIO: WQAM 560 & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)

SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)

Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!

---

OTHER CONTENT AHEAD OF PLAY-IN:

• What are the three biggest questions?

Three biggest questions ahead of the Heat-Hawks play-in game

• 2022-23 Eastern Conference play-in: Best bets for Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks

2022-23 Eastern Conference play-in: Best bets for Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks

• What could the Miami Heat's postseason rotation look like?

What could the Miami Heat's postseason rotation look like?

• Jimmy Butler said he's not playing the four. But now, he is.

Jimmy Butler said he's not playing the four. But now, he is.

• Kevin Love: “I’ll take Jimmy Butler over pretty much anybody in the league when it comes down to winning.”

Kevin Love: “I’ll take Jimmy Butler over pretty much anybody in the league when it comes down to winning.”