NBA: Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Miami Heat visit the Charlotte Hornets in a match that should be fun to watch. The leaders of the Eastern Conference meet the team that scores a very high number of points, but on the other side, allows even more. The Heat aren’t famous for constantly having matches with massive scoring output, but they know to deliver when needed. After all, Erik Spoelstra’s unit is one with the most diversified attacks in the NBA. The game takes place at Spectrum Center in Charlotte and starts at 7 pm ET.

Preview

Miami Heat (37-21, -170) lost against the Dallas Mavericks two nights ago, which ended their five-game winning streak. Previously, Spoelstra’s guys beat the Spurs, Hornets, Wizards, Pelicans (all on the road) and the Nets. The game vs. Mavs ended 107-99 for the guests, led by fantastic Doncic.

The Heat had a lead throughout the first period, but have slowed down in the third quarter, losing that sequence, 30-18. After that, there was no turning back for Dallas, who confidently kept the game under control. The main problem for Spoelstra’s guys were long-distance shooting, making only seven of 27 shooting attempts.

They were far better under the rim and on the glass but couldn’t capitalize on that advantage. Jimmy B had 29 points with 10 boards, while Bam Adebayo scored 21 buckets with 12 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 13. Several players like Herro, Martin, Guy didn’t play.

Charlotte Hornets (29-30, +145) need to do something fast in order to return in the playoff race. Otherwise, they won’t participate in the postseason or even in the play-in tournament. Only one win in the previous nine games is something that deteriorated the Hornets’ playoff chances.

Many believed that Charlotte might go up after beating the Detroit Pistons on the road, but that didn’t happen. Instead, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, at home, 125-118 and the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road, 126-120, after OT.

Miles Bridges had 28 points for the Hornets, with 13 rebounds and seven assists, but shooting 9-for-21. Terry Rozier added 25, and LaMelo had 22, nine rebounds and six assists. These three guys were shooting threes 7-for-23 combined. Mason Plumlee was one assist short of a triple-double, delivering 14 points, 17 rebounds and nine dimes.

Head to Head Games

There were already two head-to-head meetings between the Heat and the Hornets this season, and the franchise from Miami won both of them. The first was in Florida, with the hosts triumphing, 114-99, and the second in North Carolina, where Miami also won, 104-86. As you can see, in both of these clashes, the Hornets couldn’t reach 100 buckets.

Prediction

The Heat might have a bit shorter rotation here because of Herro’s ankle injury, but other guys who didn’t play against the Mavs should be back. We expect to see the Heat bouncing back to the previous level of play and winning this event. Even though this smells like a close call, we can’t bet on the hosts, as they don’t have the consistency in play, and what is more important, they don’t have the chemistry on the court that might match the Heat’s quality.

Pick: Miami Heat win