Murray’s 28 assists hot-shooting Hawks keep Heat away, 121-113

ATLANTA (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored 12 of his 28 points in the final period as the Atlanta Hawks held off Miami’s comeback attempt and beat the Heat 121-113 on Monday for their third straight win.

Trae Young scored 24 points to help the Hawks move back to.500 after their win.

After back-to-back road wins over Indiana and Toronto, the Hawks (22-22) matched their season’s best winning streak.

Miami (24-21), a matchup of Eastern Conference teams looking to improve their position, saw its three-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt despite Jimmy Butler’s 34-point performance. Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 13 boards.

In the first half, the Hawks were leading by 26 points. However, Miami pulled within 111-106 after Butler’s jam. Murray scored a 3-pointer, beating Victor Oladipo and his tight defense to extend the lead to eight with 1:36 to go.

Tyler Herro kept Miami in check with two last-minute baskets and a 3-pointer.

After Butler’s jam, the Heat pulled to within 102-94, the Hawks’ seven consecutive points by Young and Young extended the lead to 15 points.

Herro scored 15 points on his return to the court after missing three games with left Achilles soreness. Kyle Lowry (Miami’s usual backcourt starter), missed his fourth consecutive game due to a sore left leg.

Atlanta’s momentum was maintained by Atlanta thanks to AJ Griffin’s 12 points from the bench in the second half.

To lead 70-50 at the halftime, the Hawks made 8 out of 12 3s and shot 67% overall (26 of 39). Atlanta shot 59.2% (45 of 76) in the game and made 13 3s out of 27.

Butler’s foul sparked a Miami 11-0 run in the third quarter. Atlanta was reduced to 80-72 by Butler’s free throws.

Atlanta was more aggressive on offense than its loss to Miami (106-98) on Nov. 27, when Atlanta ended the Hawks’ 40-game streak of scoring 100+ points.

Clint Capela, center, had 12 points after missing the previous 10 games due to a strain in his right calf.

TIP-INS

Heat: PG Gabe Vincent was Lowry’s fourth starter. F Caleb Martin scored seven points when he returned from a left quad strain. F Nikola Jovic (lower lower stress reaction), F Duncan Robinson(right finger surgery), C Omer Yurtseven, (left ankle operation) also missed the game.

Hawks: Atlanta has ended a string of three consecutive home losses. G Bogdan Bogdanovic (left quad soreness), scored eight points on his return from missing one game. … After six road games in January, this was the Hawks’ second home game.

UP NEXT

Heat: Continue your three-game trip to New Orleans on Wednesday night.

Hawks: Dallas will be open Wednesday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports