Atlanta Hawks finish eighth at best

Clint Capela lost to Miami with the Atlanta Hawks 109-113. Now it is clear: It is enough in the NBA qualification at most to place eight.

After the 109:113 defeat in Miami it is clear that Atlanta will finish the NBA qualification phase in 8th place at best.

To finish eighth, the Georgia franchise needs a win against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. At the same time, Clint Capela and his teammates must hope for a loss from Cleveland at the stronger rated Milwaukee. If both happen, the Hawks will play against the Brooklyn Nets for a playoff spot in New York early next week.

Conversely, if they lose to Houston, Atlanta, who reached the playoff semifinals last season, would need to win two matches to make the playoffs. First up on Wednesday is the game against the Charlotte Hornets, before two days later against the losers of the Brooklyn vs. Cleveland encounter.

Against Miami, the Hawks led by four points (107-103) with 3:15 left before the Heat managed to turn the game around. Capela had 17 points and 14 rebounds against Miami, who will finish first in Eastern Conference qualifiers.