The Miami Heat are headed to the NBA Playoffs – and they’ve done it the hard way.
In an electrifying overtime showdown at State Farm Arena, the 10th-seeded Heat made history by becoming the first No. 10 seed to advance through the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, clinching a gutsy 123-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
After knocking off the Chicago Bulls in a dominant elimination game on Wednesday, the Heat rolled into Atlanta with their season hanging by a thread. But behind the clutch scoring of Tyler Herro, the timely shooting of Davion Mitchell, and a gritty team performance, Miami outlasted the Hawks and punched their ticket to a first-round series against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’s a landmark moment for Erik Spoelstra’s men, who battled through a late-season collapse, injuries, and a brutal play-in schedule to reach the postseason.
Herro Delivers in the Clutch
All eyes were on Herro heading into the matchup, and the 24-year-old guard didn’t disappoint. After lighting up the Bulls for 38 points, he followed it up with a game-high 30 points, including two crucial three-pointers in overtime that tilted the game firmly in Miami’s favour.
“Every single run that they made, we answered,” Herro said post-game. “I feel like this entire season has really built us up for this point.”
Herro’s consistency in high-pressure moments was predicted in our America Bet preview, where we tipped him to score over 27.5 points – a bet that paid off nicely for punters following the form book. In fact, Herro’s performances across both play-in games may be among the most impressive back-to-back showings in recent postseason history for a 10-seed team.
From Collapse to Comeback
Miami looked in full control for much of the contest, racing out to a 17-point first-half lead and heading into the break with a 62-53 advantage. Their offence was flowing, the defence was engaged, and Atlanta were struggling to contain the Heat’s perimeter shooters.
But the Hawks, as they’ve done all season, clawed their way back. Led by Trae Young’s 25 points and eight assists, Atlanta surged into the lead late in the fourth quarter, going up 98-92 with just over five minutes remaining.
It looked like the momentum had shifted entirely. However, the Heat showed resilience, and with the game tied at 104-104, Herro calmly sunk two free throws with 12 seconds remaining. Just when Miami thought they’d sealed it, Young slashed into the lane for a layup to send the game to overtime at 106-106.
Mitchell’s Moment
While Herro starred throughout, it was Davion Mitchell who lit up the overtime period. Acquired midseason and finding his groove in Miami’s system, Mitchell hit three massive three-pointers in the extra five minutes, deflating the Hawks’ hopes with each one.
His performance – coming off the bench – was a wildcard element not many predicted, but it played a crucial role in the Heat pulling away. Mitchell finished with 17 points, all timely, and has emerged as a potential x-factor for Miami in the postseason.
Betting Tips That Hit the Mark
From a betting perspective, this matchup delivered strong returns for savvy bettors following America Bet’s preview. Here’s a quick rundown of some key tips that paid off or came close:
✅ Miami Heat to win – A direct hit, with the Heat winning outright in OT.
✅ Tyler Herro over 27.5 points – Herro finished with 30.
✅ Game Total Points over 217.5 – The game totalled 237 points.
✅ Both Teams to Score 100+ – An easy win for this market.
❌ Trae Young under 2.5 three-pointers made – He went over, hitting three exactly.
⚠️ Clint Capela over 10.5 rebounds – Capela was active, but fell just short with 9.
Overall, it was a strong night for betting returns, particularly for those backing the Heat’s resilience and Herro’s hot hand.
What’s Next?
With the win, the Heat now move on to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs – a matchup that will test their defence and depth in a seven-game series format. The Cavaliers, rested and ranked No. 1 in the East, will be favourites, but the Heat’s momentum and experience shouldn’t be underestimated.
As for the Hawks, their rollercoaster season ends in disappointment. Despite glimpses of brilliance, particularly from Young and Bogdan Bogdanović, inconsistency and defensive woes proved too much to overcome.
Miami’s Historic Route to the Playoffs
Becoming the first 10th seed to fight their way through the play-in gauntlet makes this achievement even more impressive for Miami. It wasn’t long ago they were mired in a 10-game losing streak, looking like a team destined for the lottery.
But Spoelstra’s crew stayed composed, retooled their rotation, and when it mattered most, delivered.
It’s moments like this that underscore the unpredictable magic of the NBA Play-In Tournament – a system designed to reward grit, urgency, and late-season hunger. And if Friday night is anything to go by, the Heat are far from finished.
