Quin Snyder After Loss to Heat: "We just have to execute better"

Atlanta was a big favorite against the Miami Heat on Saturday night and it was a great opportunity to pick up a win and remain near the top of the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin were all out for Miami yesterday, but similar problems plagued the Hawks last night. A slow start, turnovers, and poor defense all led to a short-handed Heat getting a win in Atlanta.

Over the final three quarters, Atlanta outscored Miami by nine points. The problem was the 1st quarter (again). Miami scored 41 points in the quarter and shot 68% from the field and the Hawks remain the worst 1st quarter team in the NBA. They have gotten off to slow starts repeatedly this season and allow 30+ points in the first quarter often. There have been times that they have been able to overcome those slow starts, but not last night.

After the game, head coach Quin Snyder talked about the Hawks and what went wrong against the Heat:

"Regardless of what the external stuff is, we just have to do a better job of executing, particularly on the offensive end with some of the things they were doing defensively were a little different. We were not always successful but we got the right things, but turning the ball over, we have to be more precise and have to deal with that. So again, its about being precise and executing through the defense."

"Regardless of what the external stuff is, we just have to do a better job of executing." pic.twitter.com/b9XBImyx3q
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) November 12, 2023

Aside from the play-in tournament game last year, the Hawks have struggled mightily against the Miami Heat. Erik Spoelstra remains the best coach in the NBA and he finds ways to stop Trae Young and the offense seemingly every time the two teams meet. Last night was no different and after the game, Young spoke about the Heat's defense and how it was going against it:

"They don't switch up too much, they play the same style. They force you to shoot three's and that is why in the second half we were doing a lot more catch and shooting. We should have known what it was going to be like though. We play them a lot, we play them a lot every year, obviously played them in the play in and they don't change up their defense too much. We just have to learn from it and be better from it next game. That is all it is."

Atlanta hits the road for their next game against Detroit at 7:30 on Tuesday and that will be the Hawks's first game in the NBA In Season Tournament.

Short-Handed Miami Heat Defeats Atlanta 117-109

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