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• Hawks-Heat series scouting report | Series page

In our Game 5 report, we anticipated the most physical game of this series. What we got was "American Gladiator," with collisions at half court, confrontations at the rim and key players for both teams helped off the floor with injuries. The Hawks got double-figure scoring from four starters, a huge bench contribution from Flip Murray and kept a hobbled Dwyane Wade in check for most of the game to take a 3-2 series lead.

Adjustments

Miami
• The Heat seemed to have everything rolling in the right direction after taking a 2-1 series lead, but the wheels have come off their offense as a result of poor 3-point shooting. After shooting over 50 percent from 3 in Games 2 and 3, Miami is just 8-for-30 (26 percent) in their past two games while averaging only 81 points per game.

• Miami must get Daequan Cook, James Jones and Mario Chalmers better 3-point looks.

• Look for Wade to become more of a passer, and to make a conscious effort on kicking out to the shooters on his drives early in the game.

• The Heat must also utilize Jermaine O'Neal as a passer out of the post in Game 6, and create cutting and screening action away from him, rather than just having their perimeter players stand and spot up. If O'Neal starts his moves to the middle, he will see the entire floor and have open shooters if they continue to slide to open areas. • Miami must find a third scorer to help Wade and O'Neal. Look for coach Eric Spoelstra to turn to Michael Beasley, as the rookie had 18 points in 24 minutes in Game 5 and can match Josh Smith bucket for bucket on the offensive end. This is a tough matchup for Smith, and Atlanta even tried to guard Beasley with Joe Johnson in Game 5. Beasley was able to post, drive and score over both.

• Outside of Beasley, the Heat have gotten nothing from their bench in the past two games, getting a total of two points in Game 4 and only six points outside of Beasley's 18 in Game 5. Cook is 1-for-7 from 3 in the past two games, after going 8-for-15 combined in Games 2 and 3.

• Defensively, the Heat have multiple problems they must address, starting with a transition defense that gave up a number of baskets in the Hawks' second-quarter run in Game 5 that blew the game open.

• The Heat have to rotate their perimeter players back more quickly, especially when Wade shoots at the top of the floor. He does not get back well after he shoots. They must also get the ball stopped earlier, as they cannot allow Josh Smith a runway to the basket.

• Expecting Atlanta to continue to post Murray on Chalmers inside, Miami has to find a better defensive matchup when Murray comes off the bench in Game 6. This is where the Heat really miss Jamario Moon, as he provides versatility to defend more than one position. Miami is not a great trapping team, but they may have no choice but to double Murray if he continues beasting their guards inside.

• They may also look to run another defender at Johnson, as he has his game going and the Hawks are only 10-for-33 from 3 in their two wins. Miami might have to sell out completely on Johnson, force him to give up the ball, and take their chances with Mike Bibby and Evans shooting spot-up 3-pointers.

• The Heat must also get better effort from everyone on the glass, as Atlanta has dominated the rebounding in this series. Jones being a more perimeter-oriented player hurts them in this area.

Atlanta
• The Hawks now have their offense running with smooth efficiency, as they shot 48 percent from the floor in Game 5 and committed only five turnovers. They once again had improved spacing, crisp ball movement and a balanced attack. Johnson is now just taking what he wants offensively, powering his way into the lane on drives and creating for others.

• Look for continued emphasis on sets for Johnson in Game 6, giving him options off their flex-screen action. This takes advantage of his versatility, allowing him the choice of cutting along the baseline into the post or up to the elbow to catch and face.

• After being frustrated in earlier games of the series by a swarming Heat defense, Johnson has adjusted and become more of a passer, with five assists in Game 4 and six assists in Game 6. Johnson has spread out the help defenders by finding open teammates, which gives him more room to work on his drives into the paint.

• Smith's increased aggressiveness has been a key in the Hawks' past two wins, as he has attacked the basket and gotten to the foul line 16 times. He is at his best when he is flying to the rim and trying to dunk on anyone in the vicinity. Coach Mike Woodson will encourage more of this in Game 6.

• Bibby has also stepped up his dribble penetration, which draws help defenders and creates openings for teammates. His fast start in the first quarter of Game 5 got things rolling for the Hawks' offense, and now that Atlanta has stopped standing around and crowding each other as they did in Games 2 and 3, the driving lanes are there for Bibby.

• The Hawks have found that Miami doesn't really have an answer for Murray, and he has scored in bunches in the past two games. He's getting many of his points backing down the Heat guards. Look for this to continue in Game 6 until Miami doubles or finds a defensive matchup for him.

• Part of Atlanta's defensive strategy on Wade is to attack him while he is on defense, by putting him in as many screening situations as possible. Whoever he guards will have screens to use, as well as set screens, forcing Wade to get physical. This continued pounding is taking its toll on Wade on the offensive end.

• Atlanta will continue rotating defenders on Wade, keeping a fresh defender in his face, chasing him off the 3-point line and not allowing him to take any easy jump shots.

X factors

Miami
• Miami must be able to match Atlanta's physical play without losing its composure. The Heat must match the Hawks blow for blow without losing focus on the greater mission. Udonis Haslem will take the lead.

• Chalmers hit the 3 to send last year's NCAA championship game into overtime. How he and Beasley handle the pressure of elimination will be a key factor.

Atlanta
• The severity of Al Horford's ankle injury will be key for Atlanta. If he is hobbled, Solomon Jones will be the backup for Zaza Pachulia.

• Foul trouble could become a factor for Atlanta if game-time decision Horford is out, as O'Neal will be aggressive inside.

Prediction

The hard fouls and physical play of Game 5 may have just been a warm-up for what we could see in Game 6. The officials will get control of this one early, and both teams must be careful not to get overly aggressive and lose a player on a flagrant foul. When the Heat ramped up their intensity level in Games 2 and 3, the Hawks responded in Games 4 and 5. Miami's response in Game 6 will be dictated by Wade, and he is one of the few players in the NBA who can carry a team on his back and will them to victory.

Prediction: Heat Win Game 6

Mike Moreau is the director of basketball for the Pro Training Center and The Basketball Academy at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. He also serves as an NBA analyst for Hoopsworld.

Synergy Sports Technology systems were used in the preparation of this report.