Preview: Heat, Hawks Meet in Atlanta Seeking to Halt Skids ATLANTA (Interstat) — Two teams looking to reverse recent slides will meet Friday night when the Miami Heat visit the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Both clubs enter the post-Christmas matchup with identical 15-15 records, though the Hawks sit a half-game back at 15-16. Miami has lost three straight and seven of its last 10, including a 112-91 home defeat to Toronto on Tuesday. Atlanta has dropped four consecutive games, the latest a 126-123 loss to Chicago on Tuesday. The game features two of the league’s most consistent performers this month. Miami guard Norman Powell has scored at least 17 points in 10 straight games, averaging 22.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists over that span. He led the Heat with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in the loss to the Raptors. For Atlanta, forward Jalen Johnson has been a nightly triple-double threat. In his last 10 outings, Johnson is averaging 26.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists, posting five triple-doubles. He nearly had another Tuesday with 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists against the Bulls. Miami’s recent struggles have been marked by defensive lapses, allowing an average of 122.3 points during its three-game skid. The Heat will need a stronger effort against a Hawks offense that, despite its losses, has scored 123 or more points in three of its last four games, led by Johnson and guard Trae Young, who dished 15 assists Tuesday. Atlanta’s issue has been its own defense, surrendering an average of 134.5 points over its four-game losing streak. Containing Powell and Heat center Bam Adebayo, who had 12 rebounds against Toronto, will be a priority. The Hawks won both meetings last season. Following this contest, both teams face quick turnarounds, with Miami hosting Indiana on Saturday and Atlanta welcoming New York.