Hawks edge out win, Heat lose by one — Southeast Division roundup

Hawks squeak past Pacers in tight finish

The Atlanta Hawks escaped Indianapolis with a 119-117 win over the Indiana Pacers, nudging their record to 2-1 in the Southeast Division. In an early-season landscape where every result shapes the pecking order, Atlanta’s narrow victory reinforces a solid start, even if the two-point margin underlines just how small the gap is between winning and losing.

The result briefly puts the Hawks level with Miami at 2-1, hinting at a tight race near the top of the Southeast. For a group aiming to solidify its playoff credentials, banking these close games could matter later in the season.

Heat drop one-point thriller in Minnesota

The Miami Heat were on the wrong side of the same kind of drama, falling 125-124 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The loss drops Miami to 2-1, despite an offensive showing strong enough to win on most nights. Scoring 124 points and still walking away with a one-point defeat is a tough pill to swallow, especially in what already looks like a crowded division race.

Off the court, Miami continues to integrate veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. As relayed by Hoops Rumors, Hardaway says he had long hoped for a chance to play for the Heat and viewed his one-year, $6.5MM deal this summer as an obvious choice. He also points to the special connection with his Hall of Fame father, whose name is closely tied to Miami basketball history.

Vucevic happy back in Orlando, Wizards on top

In Orlando, Nikola Vucevic’s return remains a central storyline. According to Hoops Rumors, the veteran center is enjoying being back in a Magic uniform for the first time since he was traded away five years ago. He had spent more than eight years in Orlando before being dealt to the Chicago Bulls at the 2021 trade deadline. The same notes column also references Magic injuries along with Dort and Sarr, though no further specifics are given. On the floor, the Magic sit at a promising 1-0 in the division.

The Washington Wizards currently top the Southeast Division at 2-0 despite being idle yesterday, while the Charlotte Hornets start the day at 0-1. With all five teams already showing they can make life difficult for opponents, the early signs point toward a season of tight margins and constant movement in the standings.