Atlanta Hawks Vs. Miami Heat: Game 6 Preview

Miami looks to extend their franchise record five game season opening win streak against the Atlanta Hawks at the AAA tonight.

The Miami Heat will be hosting the Atlanta Hawks in Miami at the AAA tonight. It's the first of four meetings this season between the Southeastern Division rivals, and the first of two games they will play in Florida. For the Hawks, this is the second game of a three game roadtrip. They lost, 95-84 in Houston to the Rockets on Saturday, and go on to face the Chicago Bulls tomorrow night. Miami is playing in the second game of a three game homestand. They destroyed the Charlotte Bobcats, 129-90 last night and go on to host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

This past April 11th, Miami defeated the Hawks in the penultimate game of the regular season, 98-90. LeBron James led the Heat with 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Dwyane Wade added 21 with six assists and Chris Bosh had 15 points and nine rebounds. For Atlanta, Josh Smith led five players in double figures with 17.

Miami vs Atlanta NBA Highlights 04/11/11 (via bballfansite)

Miami is coming off their fifth consecutive win to open the season, at home versus the Charlotte Bobcats, 129-90. It was the Heat's second victory against Charlotte in under a week. Chris Bosh led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Dwyane Wade added 22 points and six assists while LeBron contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. Norris Cole added 16 points and nine assists off the bench. DJ White led the Bobcats with 21 points in a losing effort.

Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats 1-1-12 Highlights (via NbaHighlights33)

The Hawks are coming off a 95-84 loss against the Houston Rockets on New Years Eve. Joe Johnson and Al Horford led the Hawks with 15 points each in the losing effort. For Houston, Kevin Martin scored 27, Jordan Hill had 15 rebounds and Kyle Lowry had 18 assists on the night.

31/12/2011 Atlanta Hawks Vs Houston Rockets Highlights NBA CIRCLE (via NBACIRCLE)

All-Time Series: 48-39

Game Time: 7:30 EST

Season Series: 0-0

Standings

Miami Heat: 5-0, first in the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference, tied for first in the NBA.

Atlanta Hawks: 3-1, third in the Southeast Division, tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, and tied for sixth in the NBA.

Probable Starters:

Miami Heat

PG - Mario Chalmers

SG - Dwyane Wade

SF - LeBron James

PF - Chris Bosh

C - Joel Anthony

Atlanta Hawks

PG - Jeff Teague

SG - Joe Johnson

SF - Marvin Williams

PF - Josh Smith

C - Al Horford

Common Thread:

Atlanta guard Jerry Stackhouse spent last season with the Heat, scoring 12 total points in seven games.

Team Milestones:.

Joel Anthony will play in his 250th game for Miami, moving him past Voshon Lenard into 15th.

Two more field goals for will move Udonis Haslem into sixth place all-time past Eddie Jones with 2,142. Eight more assists will move him past Rony Seikaly into 19th, with 574.

Two more free throws will move LeBron James past Steve Smith into 15th all time, with 543. 21 points for James moves him past Michael Beasley into 18th with 2,280.

Team Leaders:

PPG:

LeBron James, 29.7

Dwyane Wade, 20.2

Chris Bosh,18.2

RPG:

Udonis Haslem,10.0

Chris Bosh, 8.6

LeBron James, 7.8

APG:

LeBron James,6.6

Dwyane Wade, 5.8