Heat, Hawks desperate to stop the rot post Christmas

Out-of-form teams scrap for a spark

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Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

(REUTERS)

No NBA teams have struggled more over their past 10 games than the Miami and Atlanta. The Heat and Hawks, who have won only two games apiece over that stretch, will try to begin their turnaround today in Atlanta when they face each other for the first time this season.

The Heat have lost three in a row and nine of their past 11 games. Miami are coming off a 112-91 defeat against the visiting Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, having posted their lowest point total of the season.

The Hawks have lost four in a row, including a 126-123 home setback against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, when Atlanta blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead.

Today's contest will be the first of the teams' four meetings. They split four games last year, with each winning both games on their home court.