The Miami Heat secured their spot in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals despite missing key forward Jimmy Butler.

The Heat held off the Hawks to win 97-94.

The Heat won the first-round play-off by a score of 4-1.

We clearly had some adversity in this game not having Kyle or Jimmy, and our group doesn't even blink, according to the Heat coach.

That is not something we have to address. We just pivot and put in a game plan and everyone gets ready to compete.

Everybody that played had their fingerprints on it.

The Miami Heat will play the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors series.

  • NBA play-off results and schedule

The Heat will have at least six days off before the second round begins, and will be hoping that they can get their two best players back.

The six-time All-Star was out of the fifth game because of knee inflammation and had averaged 30.5 points, 7.8 rebound and 5.3 assists in the series.

Victor Oladipo scored 23 points after fighting back from his own injuries.

He said a year ago he was at the lowest point after knee and quadriceps injuries, but starred by leading the scoring for the Heat in their first play-off start since August 2020.

After the Hawks recovered to 79-76 with eight minutes and 14 seconds remaining, Oladipo posted seven of Miami's next 13 points.

Atlanta had a couple of chances to tie the game in the final 30 seconds, but a missed shot and a steal by Adebayo ended the game.

In the Western Conference, Memphis took a 3-2 lead over Minnesota with a win.

Ja Morant scored 18 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, including a tie-breaking lay-up in the final second.

The Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 112-97 at home to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.

Chris Paul had 22 points and 11 assists for the Suns.

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