Hawks vs. Heat clash should prove to be must-see TV

Though Tuesday night's "game" would prove contradictory, the Heat-Hawks first-round clash could prove to be the most interesting series throughout these playoffs.

The series won't have as much star power as others, but you can almost expect every game to come down to the wire -- and Dwyane Wade to add yet another chapter to his impressive 2008-09 book.

Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if the series went the distance, with all games being decided by three points or less.

If there's one series to watch closely, it's this one, which gets started this weekend in Atlanta.

Who needs Kobe, LeBron, Dwight or KG when you have Heat-Hawks.

Atlanta 81, Miami 79
Boston 100, Philadelphia 98
L.A. Lakers 125, Utah 112

• Michael Beasley, Heat, turned in double-double with 23 points and 13 boards in loss to the Hawks.

• Paul Pierce, Celtics, poured in game-high 31 points on 12-for-16 shooting to help Boston edge Philly.

• Andre Iguodala, Sixers, notched team-high 25 points to go along with seven assists, five boards and two steals.

• Deron Williams, Jazz, finished with 25 points and 13 assists in 125-112 loss to Lakers.

The Lakers won their last six home games. They also took their sixth straight against Utah at Staples Center, 125-112.

The Lakers tied the 1986-87 team with their 65th victory, trailing only the 1971-72 team (69) and 1999-00 team (67). Both of those Lakers squads won the NBA title. ... The Jazz took 47 foul shots in their 125-112 loss at the Lakers. ... The Celtics were handed five technical fouls in their 100-98 win at Philadelphia.

The Hawks drew an announced crowd of 18,179 to their regular-season finale, leaving their season average at 16,748. That's their highest since 1997-98, when they averaged 17,249.

Deron Williams had 25 points and 13 assists for the Jazz, and reserve Andrei Kirilenko added 20 points in a 125-112 loss to the Lakers. ... Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 25 points and added seven assists and five rebounds in a 100-98 loss to Boston. ... Michael Beasley led the Heat with 23 points and 13 rebounds in only 24 minutes in an 81-79 loss at Atlanta.

Utah starting forward C.J. Miles (dislocated left index finger) and center Mehmet Okur (mild right hamstring strain) didn't play at the Lakers. ... Boston guard Ray Allen was suspended one game without pay for elbowing Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao in the groin and missed the Celtics' 100-98 win at Philadelphia.

"It felt a little weird to be out on the court, a little bit rusty.'' -- Hawks' Speedy Claxton after playing first game since March 3, 2007.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.