Game 1 of the first-round playoff series was ugly. We'll see what happens in Wednesday's Game 2. And if it's anything along the lines of Game 1, the Heat will need Dwyane Wade to resurrect his performance from the 2006 NBA Finals against Dallas.
The Game 1 result -- Atlanta 90, Miami 64 -- wasn't a total shocker. The Heat was 4-11 on the road after the All-Star break and it's a young group with most of its players having little or no playoff experience. "There is an element of unknown with this group," coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game. "None of us knows what to expect."
Still, the Heat didn't expect this. What the Heat expected was for Wade to lead the way and rookie forward Michael Beasley to follow. That didn't happen. Wade had 11 first-quarter points but Beasley didn't come close to simulating the success he had in the season's final five games when he averaged about 24 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Miami, however, promises it won't panic.
"It's basketball," Dwyane Wade said. "You can't over-think it."
HAWKS 90, HEAT 64: Miami recorded its lowest point total in postseason history. Enough said.
"We didn't have any energy," rookie Michael Beasley said. "I don't know if it was jitters or what."
After the Heat fell behind, 37-27, in the second quarter the game was essentially over. Miami trailed by 20 almost the entire second half.
