Heat at Atlanta Hawks Game Thread

Vivlamore filling in for tonight’s game against the Heat. Here is your report from the morning shoot-around. Josh Smith insists he is not playing with a chip on his shoulder. However, in the past two games the forward has put up impressive numbers – despite again being snubbed from the NBA All-Star team In wins over the Pacers and Magic, Smith is averaging 25.5 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and 2.5 steals. They are all above his season averages, especially his 15.9 points per game. “I’ve just been playing,” Smith said Sunday morning before taking on the Heat in a nationally televised game. “I’ve been playing like this since the season started. It’s really not a chip on my shoulder. I’ve been blessed to be able to step in in Al [Horford’s] absence and just been playing some good basketball.” Smith is averaging 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in the 16 games since Horford was lost to a torn left pectoral muscle. The Hawks are 11-5 without …