Q: This series isn’t over. The Heat just held serve at home. Since the middle of January, the Hawks were 20-3 at home. The Heat have played great in the first two games, but they have also been lucky that Clint Capella has been out with an injury. The Capella/Trae Young pick-and-roll has been a big part of the Hawks offense. Hopefully he won’t come back from his hyperextended knee. He supposedly was going to be out a week, so the Heat need to finish the Hawks out quickly. — Joel.

A: Of course it isn’t over, and the entire momentum can change if the Hawks can make a Friday statement on their home court. By contrast, if the Heat go up 3-0, the Hawks assuredly will be checking to see if COVID tests are required to get into Cancun. So yes, there is at least one more statement that needs to be made. And, yes, you want to take care of business before John Collins regains his stride and perhaps Clint Capela can begin to stride.

Q: Atlanta’s star guard complains, says Heat isn’t giving him and his guys room to shoot. That’s a pretty strange request: Does he think a softer defense is due him, maybe tired big men forced to switch out and allow him open shots on his way to a scoring tsunami? Maybe someone can remind him that defenses tend to get tougher around playoff time? — Moshe, Tel Aviv.

A: Such is the lobbying typical during the playoffs. But here’s the thing about the Hawks: What is Trae Young best known for? Deep threes. What is Bogdan Bogdanovic’s best skill? Shooting the three. Kevin Huerter’s? Same. Danilo Gallinari? Ditto. So how exactly is that robbing you of free throws? By contrast, Jimmy Butler is playing like a bull in an NBA shop. Reap what sow.

Q: Would you agree if the Heat are to go far in the playoffs Jimmy Butler cannot be the main focus of the offence? They won all year with multiple scorers. Don’t they need to get back to that? — Bob, Davie.

A: Nor are the Heat expecting 45 a night. But the ensemble cast also is smart enough to know that when someone is on a roll, get him the ball. In Game 2, it was Jimmy Butler. In Game 1, it was Duncan Robinson at the 3-point line. And perhaps soon, with Clint Capela still out, it will be Bam Adebayo. And figure on at least on Tyler Herro special in the mix.

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