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"We kept fighting," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "But this game is about making plays down the stretch, and we didn't come up with enough plays down the stretch. They did."
With the Heat beginning a six-game road trip, coach Erik Spoelstra didn't want to take a chance on Wade's condition worsening or spreading to his teammates.
So the All-Star guard stayed at the hotel. His teammates managed just fine without him.
Mike Miller, who started in place of Wade, scored only four points. But Ray Allen, continuing to fit right in with his new team after leaving Boston, chipped in with 17 off the bench, going 3 of 5 beyond the 3-point arc.
"You have to fight for wins on the road. They never come easy," Spoelstra said. As for Allen, "He's done that over the course of a 17-year career. That was one of the reasons we went after him."
Allen knew he might have to provide more offense, but no major changes were needed to make up for Wade's absence.
"We didn't have to reconfigure who we were going to play," Allen said. "We just had to make sure everybody remained focused."
Through the first three quarters, the game was tight -- 25-25 at the end of the first, Atlanta leading 46-42 at the break, the Heat bouncing back for a 72-71 advantage heading to the final period.
Then, it looked as though Miami might pull away. The Heat clamped down on Atlanta defensively, sparking a 10-2 run that provided the biggest lead of the game for either team.
But Teague brought the Hawks back, the second of back-to-back 3s tying the game at 85 with 4:04 remaining. Atlanta actually pulled ahead 87-85 on Al Horford's lay-in, but that was the last hurrah for the home team.
Allen was never concerned.
Not as long as James was on the court, sore knee and all.
"Just stay on your man," Allen said, "and LeBron's going to ice it."
NOTES: Rap star T.I. sat in with the Hawks' television broadcast team during the first half. He was tailed around the arena by a camera crew from his VHI reality show. ... Teague also had 11 assists. ... Anthony Morrow gave the Hawks a spark off the bench with 17 points. ... Miami dominated in the lane, outscoring the Hawks 40-26.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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