The Miami Heat improved to 14-10 through 24 games this NBA season after achieving a 115-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, sweeping a two-game series between the two teams.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had been focused on improving the team’s performance in these back-to-back game scenarios, a feat the Heat hadn’t accomplished earlier in the season.
“We haven’t been able to do it this year, and, you know, not many teams have been able to do that,” Spoelstra said, noting that Miami had gone 1-1 in its other two-game series opportunities this season. “It’s a small thing. It’s not everything. But it’s something.”
Duncan Robinson led the scoring for Miami with 23 points, including six 3-pointers, matching his season-best. Notably, the team has an impressive 8-1 record when Robinson hits at least four 3-pointers in a game.
“These guys put a lot of pressure on the defense in the paint,” Robinson said. “It’s helped me to kind of move without the ball and find a window.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kyle Lowry each contributed significantly, with 17 points. Lowry’s performance was particularly efficient, as he shot a perfect 5 for 5 from the field, including 4 for 4 from beyond the arc.
Jimmy Butler added to Miami’s success with 15 points and 10 assists, while Jamal Cain and Thomas Bryant contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Heat’s bench outscored the Hornets’ reserves 45-13, showcasing their depth
“They’re going to create a lot of turnovers,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “I think we had eight in the first quarter. You know, we were better in the second quarter until the end. But they’re good at it. We had some careless ones. It’s a big part of what they do.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets Updates
For the Hornets, Terry Rozier led with 28 points, followed by Gordon Hayward with 20 points. Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller also played key roles, scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively. Despite these efforts, the Hornets struggled against Miami’s defensive pressure, which capitalized on Charlotte’s turnovers, converting them into 32 points.
The game was not without its challenges for the Heat, who were missing several key players due to injuries and illness, including Bam Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith, Tyler Herro, and Josh Richardson. On the Hornets’ side, they were without LaMelo Ball due to an ankle injury and lost PJ Washington early in the game to a shoulder injury.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets Updates
This win sets the stage for the Heat’s next challenge, a two-game series against the Chicago Bulls, while the Hornets look to rebound in their upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
