It could have been worse. That's my initial reaction to looking at the scoreboard at the half as the Hawks trail 51-42 in Game 6 here tonight in Miami. With Al Horford and Marvin Williams dressed but hurting (Marvin got in for a few first-half minutes but still looks inhibited by his wrist - his only shot was a lefty hook), the last thing the Hawks needed to start the game was 2 quick fouls on Joe Johnson, costing him the last 10 minutes of the first quarter. Atlanta is a deep enough team, but losing 3 starters will eventually take it's toll, and the Heat took full advantage to build their lead to as much as 17.

However, the Hawks hung tough, and thanks to a late steal and bucket by Mike Bibby go into the second half well within range of overtaking Miami and winning this series in 6.

The one thing that looks capable of derailing that train? It's a familiar sight, and that's of Dwyane Wade barreling towards the paint and getting rewarded for his efforts. It's hard to write this and not sound like a complete homer, but it can't always be a foul on the defender when the offensive player initiates the contact, can it? D-Wade is 4-12 from the field after one half, but 12 trips to the free throw line will make up for a poor shooting percentage any day.

That's not the only reason the Hawks are down, of course. The offense looked pretty discombobulated early on, and even after getting it going some in the second quarter they are still not moving the ball around enough to really make a run without hitting a ton of tough perimeter shots, which could happen, but isn't terrific strategy.

One thing they've done well is make Michael Beasley think he has to shoulder the load with Jermaine O'Neal out - Beasley is 5-16 from the field in the first half. 16 shots! If he matches that output in the second half, I think the Hawks win this game.

The officiating has been frustrating, but it is what it is - Atlanta cannot get rattled by a few calls they wish had gone a different way.

The Hawks are down 9, but it could have been more. Let's take advantage of that in the second half and send the Heat home for the summer!