Jeremy Lin helps Atlanta Hawks pull away from Miami Heat with sizzling cameo

Veteran point guard Jeremy Lin came off the bench to score 11 of his 15 points during a third-quarter run that sparked the Atlanta Hawks to a 106-82 win over the visiting Miami Heat on Sunday.

Atlanta built a 38-37 first-half lead, despite shooting just 31.1 per cent from the field. But with Lin leading the way, the Hawks shot 53 per cent in the third quarter and outscored the Heat 41-21 in the frame to take a commanding lead, which surged as high as 30 points in the final quarter.

Lin finished seven for nine from the field and handed out five assists in 17 minutes. He picked up one steal, which was the 500th of his career. Lin, who averages 10.5 points, has scored 27 in the last two games.

The win broke a three-game losing streak for Atlanta and snapped Miami’s two-game winning streak. Three of Atlanta’s 12 wins this season have come against Miami.

DeAndre’ Bembry, who started his third game, finished with 17 points – 16 of them in the second half, when he shot seven for seven from the floor. Bembry finished two points shy of his career high.

John Collins tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds – nine in the first half – to secure his 11th double-double over the last 14 games. Rookie Trae Young, Atlanta’s starting point guard, scored 19 points.