Hawks hold off Heat, win first replay since ‘83

ATLANTA – New score, same result. The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA’s first replay since 1983, holding off the Miami Heat 114-111 in overtime Saturday night to complete a protested game from December.

The NBA ordered the teams back to the court after upholding Miami’s protest of a 117-111 loss to the Hawks on Dec. 19. The Heat went to the league after the home team’s stat crew mistakenly ruled Shaquille O’Neal – who’s now with the Phoenix Suns – had fouled out with 51.9 seconds left in overtime when he actually had only five fouls.

The game resumed from the point of the protest and neither team scored during their brief time on the court. They got a 15-minute break, then tipped off their regularly scheduled game.

Taking into account that O’Neal had been traded and the Hawks dealt away four players for point Mike Bibby at the trade deadline, the league allowed both teams to use players acquired since the disputed game.

Shawn Marion, who came to Miami in the O’Neal trade, was in the Heat’s lineup, meaning he will officially go down as having played for two different teams on the same day – and losing both times. He scored 23 points for the Suns in their Dec. 19 loss at Dallas; he gets credit for 52 seconds (and a rebound) playing for the Heat.