Hawks forward Josh Smith has apologized to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra for his showboat dunk attempt in Game 5.

The apology came moments prior to tip-off in Friday night's Game 6.

Smith unsuccessfully attempted a between-the-legs dunk with Atlanta leading comfortably.

Spoelstra accused Smith of trying to embarrass his team with the game already well in hand.

"That was for our fans," Smith said of the dunk attempt. "They've been great to us all season, and they were out in full force Wednesday, so I was rewarding them for helping us get the win. I was just trying to show our fans some love in return for what they've given us all year. It was nothing more than that.

"So when I hear people questioning why'd I do something like that or wondering if I was trying to mock the other team, I just wanted coach Spoelstra to know that wasn't the case."

Smith and Spoelstra shook hands after talking briefly.