National Basketball Association

Hawks reserves handle Heat scrubs

Published Apr. 15, 2009 4:12 a.m. ET

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Mario West blew a dunk. Speedy Claxton threw up an airball on a free throw. And Miami missed five shots on a decisive possession.

This playoff preview looked more like a preseason game.

Flip Murray scored 17 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks reserves past the Miami Heat scrubs 81-79 Tuesday night in a game that shed little light on their upcoming playoff series. With both teams locked into their seedings - they'll play Game 1 in Atlanta this weekend - there was little incentive for either to give significant minutes to top players.