Trae Young on Heat's Defense vs the Hawks: "We should have known what it was going to be like"

The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Miami Heat last night in one of the most surprising results of the NBA season. Losing to the Heat when they are at full strength is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Heat were far from full strength.

Miami was missing Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin, yet they won comfortably against the Hawks. The Heat's offense jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up and the defense stifled one of the NBA's best offenses. Coming into the game, Atlanta was in the top three of the NBA in terms of PPG, and even against the best defenses, they found a way to put up points.

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."

"We should have known what it was going to be like. We play them a lot every year. They don't really change up their defense too much. Just need to learn from it and be better."

Trae Young after tonight's game⤵️ pic.twitter.com/hm8IsKXgS3
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) November 12, 2023

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.

Not only did the Hawks get off to a slow start, but they did not take care of the ball. Atlanta turned it over 21 times and that led to 23 points for the Heat. Whenever Atlanta cut into the lead, they would turn the ball over or play poor defense or both. Atlanta is now 23rd in the NBA in turnovers per game and their carelessness with the ball and poor transition defense is a recipe for disaster.

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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