The Miami Heat extended their unbeaten streak in NBA In-Season Tournament play with a hard-fought 111-105 victory over the short-handed Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. Jimmy Butler led the way with a season-high 32 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Miami’s Duncan Robinson added 18 points, while the team’s offense has been on fire, averaging 113.8 points per game during their six-game win streak. This impressive turnaround follows a sluggish start to the season where they went 1-4. When asked about the transformation, Butler succinctly stated, “We’ve been scoring more points.”
The Heat currently hold a 2-0 record in group play for the In-Season Tournament, while the Hornets stand at 1-1. Miami wrapped up a successful 4-0 road trip with victories over San Antonio, Atlanta, and Memphis. However, the team faces another challenge with five more road games looming after returning home on Thursday night.
‘It’s always harrowing on the road’
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized the importance of this challenging stretch, saying, “It’s always harrowing on the road, but we have found different ways to win.”
P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 32 points and six of Charlotte’s season-high 15 three-pointers in the loss. LaMelo Ball added 28 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds. Charlotte initially took a 32-24 lead after a strong first quarter from Washington, but Miami capitalized on Charlotte’s limited depth in the second quarter to establish a 57-48 halftime lead.
Despite Charlotte’s efforts to close the gap in the final quarter, Butler and Adebayo delivered crucial baskets to secure the win. Miami overcame a 25.8% shooting performance from beyond the arc, compared to Charlotte’s 46.9%.
Hornets without six key players due to injuries
Jaime Jaquez Jr. played a significant role off the bench for Miami with 17 points and five rebounds, playing 32 minutes. Jaquez expressed added motivation from teammates to perform well in the tournament, with a substantial cash prize at stake.
The Hornets played without six key players due to injuries, including starters Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and top draft pick Brandon Miller. With several reserves forced into starting roles, the Hornets occasionally appeared out of sync, which Coach Steve Clifford described as unacceptable.
Next up, the Heat will host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, while the Hornets will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night in another In-Season Tournament game.
