Published by
Miami Herald
Miami Herald
ATLANTA — The Miami Heat has leaned on its defense to make up ground in the standings in recent weeks, but that usually reliable defense was a no-show in Monday’s first half. That proved to be too much to overcome, as the Heat rallied from a 26-point second-quarter deficit to make it a game that was decided in the final seconds but still fell to the Atlanta Hawks 121-113 on Monday afternoon at State Farm Arena to open a three-game trip. The Heat, which entered with wins in 12 of its last 17 games, allowed the Hawks to enter halftime with a 20-point lead behind an incredible shooting display. A…