ATLANTA _ Just when it appeared the Miami Heat got all the awful out of their system, along came this.
Somehow, a team in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference found a way Sunday to lose to the Atlanta Hawks for a third time this season, this time by a 106-82 count at State Farm Arena.
Against a team attempting to load up on lottery chances, the Heat missed early and often on a night of offensive incompetence.
Having spoken just days earlier of needing to beat teams out of the playoff picture, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra instead saw his team put forward a rendering that made one wonder whether they suddenly gained visions of the potential of Duke forward Zion Williamson.
Because of this night, it is doubtful any NBA-level team could have looked worse.
The Heat shot .356 from the field, 5 of 34 on 3-pointers and 15 of 27 from the foul line.
Derrick Jones Jr. led the Heat with 14 points off the bench.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 19 points.
