The Miami Heat completed a convincing two-game sweep of the Charlotte Hornets, securing a 115-104 victory on Wednesday night at home. Duncan Robinson led the charge with an impressive 23 points, while Jimmy Butler contributed 15 points and an impressive 10 assists in the winning effort.
Kyle Lowry and Jaime Jaquez Jr. also played crucial roles in Miami’s success, each adding 17 points to the scoreboard. Lowry, in particular, had a standout performance, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, and 3-for-3 from the foul line. Robinson showcased his sharpshooting prowess, connecting on 6 of 9 three-point attempts.
The Heat’s dominance was evident as they were able to rest Butler and Lowry for the entire fourth quarter, giving them extra recovery time before their upcoming clash with the Chicago Bulls.
Second consecutive win over the Hornets
This victory marked the Heat’s second consecutive win over the Hornets, following their narrow 116-114 triumph in Charlotte on Monday.
Miami’s superiority extended to the rebounding battle, where they outclassed the Hornets by a substantial margin, securing 47 rebounds compared to Charlotte’s 31. In the offensive rebound department, the Heat pulled down 17 boards, while Charlotte managed only four.
Despite the Hornets’ efforts, led by Terry Rozier’s game-high 28 points and a strong performance by Gordon Hayward with 20 points, the team couldn’t overcome the Heat’s well-rounded attack. Miles Bridges contributed 19 points, but his long-range shooting struggled with just one successful three-pointer out of eight attempts. Rookie Brandon Miller chipped in with 18 points.
Sixth defeat in their last eight games
The loss against the Heat marked the Hornets’ sixth defeat in their last eight games, highlighting a challenging stretch for the team.
In the opening quarter, Charlotte held a narrow 23-22 lead, with Rozier leading the way with seven points and three steals. However, Miami found their rhythm in the second quarter, shooting an impressive 61.9 percent from the field and ending the half on a 13-0 run, taking a 56-45 lead into halftime.
The Heat’s dominance continued in the third quarter, extending their lead to 62-45 with 3-pointers from Lowry and Robinson. This 19-0 surge bridged the halves and only ended when Rozier made a technical free throw. Butler’s free throws at the end of the third quarter solidified Miami’s control, leading them into the fourth with a comfortable 91-70 advantage. From there, the Heat maintained their lead and cruised to victory.
