ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Friday, Feb. 2 7:30pm ET
Jones scores 24, grabs 12 rebounds

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

ATLANTA (AP) -- Eddie Jones had just put together one of his most complete games of the season, but the Miami guard was still mad about missing a free throw the night before.

Dikembe Mutombo, Eddie Jones
Dikembe Mutombo, left, battles Miami's Eddie Jones for a rebound. Jones outrebounded Mutombo 12-10.

Jones scored 24 points and Tim Hardaway added 18 as the Heat won for the sixth time in seven games, 91-80 over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

Miami was coming off a 95-91 overtime loss at Dallas on Thursday, due in part to Jones' making only one of two free throws with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. The loss ended the Heat's 16-game winning streak over the Mavericks.

"I can't believe I missed a free throw," said Jones, whose effort Friday included a season-high 12 rebounds, a team-high five assists and an 8-for-8 effort at the foul line. "I've never missed a free throw down the stretch."

Miami coach Pat Riley was pleased to see his team recover from the previous night.

"I thought we came back, bounced back from a tough loss last night," he said. "We did some things that were absolutely miserable last night. We just dug in. We have a lot of guys that are banged up, dented and nicked. It was a gutty win for us tonight."

Hardaway, coming off a 21-point performance at Dallas, left midway through the third quarter after injuring his right knee. He returned in the fourth wearing an elastic brace.

Jason Terry scored 31 points for the Hawks, who lost their third straight game to Miami. After the Heat took their biggest lead, 80-68, on Dan Majerle's 3-pointer with 5:42 remaining, Terry hit consecutive baskets that helped the Hawks close within 80-76 two minutes later.

"We couldn't get over our woes in the fourth quarter," Terry said. "It's been that way all year long."

Bruce Bowen ended Atlanta's comeback attempt by hitting a 3-pointer with 1:46 to go, giving the Heat an 87-78 lead.

"You have to put the dagger in when it's time to put the dagger in," Hardaway said. "Everybody was playing well, especially on defense."

The Hawks have lost seven of nine games. They were outrebounded 51-38 and outscored 25-10 at the foul line. Atlanta missed all six of its 3-point attempts.

"We had a little run at them, but I don't think they were too worried," Hawks coach Lon Kruger said. "We've got a long way to go. We've got a lot of work to do. We were a little careless with the ball sometimes. We just have to keep working."

Hardaway began the third quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to give the Heat a 10-point lead.

Lorenzen Wright had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta.

Game notes
Hawks C Dikembe Mutombo blocked two shots to increase his career total to 2,543 and move into a tie with Tree Rollins for sixth place on the career list. ... Terry is averaging 21.6 points over his last 33 games. ... Heat F Brian Grant, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds, left the game briefly at the end of the first quarter after falling and injuring his right knee. He returned in the second quarter wearing an elastic brace. ... Miami joined Portland and Philadelphia as the only teams with 10 victories in the second game of back-to-backs.


ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Miami Clubhouse

Atlanta Clubhouse

RECAPS
Indiana 103
Denver 94

Orlando 123
Philadelphia 117

Miami 91
Atlanta 80

New York 95
New Jersey 71

Boston 102
Detroit 95

LA Lakers 93
Charlotte 87

Sacramento 105
Vancouver 95


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.