The ‘conversations’ that led to Miami’s big win over the Hawks in the middle of a slump?
With The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, 126-111, it was a much-needed victory as the team had lost eight of its previous nine games. Especially with The Heat won without Bam Adebayo and Tyler Hero due to injurythere was no doubting the game plan going into Friday to turn their fortunes around.
Led by exceptional exits from Norman PowellAndrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, and more, Miami looked more like how the team played early in the season, picking up the pace and execution on offense. There had to be a tipping point with the team in their recent slump, and Jaquez even said there was “a lot of talk” going into Friday’s game against the Hawks and how the win was “a great moment.”
“I think it was a great moment for us,” Jaquez said after scoring 16 points off the bench, via video from HeatCulture on X, formerly Twitter. “We had a lot of conversations, we really talked about what we needed to do, and tonight was a night where we just, you know, did it. We took action; it was, you know, down the lineup. Everybody came in, everybody knew what they needed to do to help this team win, and we all really got back to what helps us win.”
Jaime Jaquez Jr on playing like his old man since November:
“Yeah, I think it’s been a great moment for us, we’ve had a lot of conversations where we’ve really talked about what we need to do and tonight we did just that … we all really got back to what helps us win.”
time… pic.twitter.com/nr6fz2CBaU
— ღამარი (@VadekFlash) December 27, 2025
Heat’s Norman Powell on victory feels like the beginning of the season

As it is A hot look to get you back on track after the win they just had, it also helped that they got goals from Powell, who continues to prove he’s been a great addition. Leading the team with 25 points, I would say something like that this outing felt early in the season, when Miami was firing on all cylinders.
“Yeah, definitely,” Powell said when asked if the performance looked like it had in the earlier parts of the season. “I mean, I think we had everybody on the same page, doing things with intent and purpose, you know, and holding each other accountable during games and a lot of huddles when there was a dead ball or a foul, and just making things right.
“It’s not going to be a perfect game, but as long as the intent is right and we’re making those second and third efforts, holding each other accountable and making mistakes, you know, we’re going to put ourselves in a position every night to win,” Powell continued.
Norman Powell on whether tonight felt like November’s version of The Heat
“Yeah, definitely. We had everyone on the same page doing things with intent and purpose. We held each other accountable during the huddle and the dead ball and just getting things right.” pic.twitter.com/PpuIPF3LTm
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 27, 2025
Either way, the Heat are looking to win their matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
2025-12-27 18:52:00







