The Miami Heat triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 104-87 during Sunday night’s NBA action. Bam Adebayo led the charge and delivered an impressive 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Tyler Herro contributed significantly with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, and Duncan Robinson added 19 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr., despite leaving early due to a groin injury, scored 15 points.
The Heat showcased their long-range shooting prowess, hitting 11-25 three-point attempts, and continued their dominance over Southeast Division rivals at home, marking their 22nd consecutive victory in this category. This game also concluded a clean sweep of their regular-season series against the Hornets.
“We have to have a better buy-in. It’s simple as that,” Hornets forward P.J. Washington said. “We’re messing up on coverages, we’re not doing the right thing on offense, just got a lot of cleaning up to do.”
Erik Spoelstra, the Heat’s coach, praised the team’s focused approach, attributing their success, especially in the first half, to a strong defensive effort.
“This was potentially a trap game,” Spoelstra said. “I thought the approach was terrific and everything was generated, particularly in the first half, by our defensive effort.”
On the Hornets’ side, Terry Rozier scored 26 points, while LaMelo Ball, returning from a 20-game absence due to an ankle injury, contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Miles Bridges also chipped in with 20 points. However, their efforts were insufficient to prevent the Hornets’ continued slump, as they suffered their fifth consecutive loss.
The Hornets struggled particularly in the first half, scoring only 31 points, the lowest in any NBA half this season, and trailed by 21 points at halftime. Their 3-point shooting was off mark, with only one successful attempt out of 18 in the first two quarters.
“I thought early on, we really got a lot of good shots that we’ve been making. They didn’t go in,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “That’s going to happen. I think the bigger part of tonight is when the ball’s not going in we’ve got to keep defending. What we haven’t done in the last three games, we haven’t defended anywhere near the level that we were. That’s what we have to get back to.”
Despite a brief rally led by Ball in the third quarter, the Hornets could not overcome the deficit. Miami responded effectively to maintain control of the game.
“Basketball is a game of runs. They’re going to hit shots,” Herro said. “It’s just about answering and making sure we’re playing the right way.”
The Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., who has been a consistent presence in his rookie season, will miss the team’s upcoming two-game road trip due to his injury.
“It slowly started to get worse in the duration of the game,” Jaquez said. “I don’t think it’s as severe but a lot of prevention we’re looking at right now.”
Meanwhile, Miami star Jimmy Butler is dealing with a foot injury and may miss out on postseason award eligibility due to participation rules.
The game also had a special moment as the Heat celebrated Dwyane Wade’s Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement with a halftime ceremony. Pat Riley, Heat President, announced plans to unveil a Wade statue outside the Kaseya Center.
“I was born and raised in Chicago, but this is where I grew up,” Wade said. “From 21 years old ’til 37, I grew up here. A lot of the fan base, they grew up with me. … There’s no love like Miami love, and every time I come back here I feel that.”
Looking ahead, the Hornets will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, while the Heat are set to play against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. The next home game for the Heat will be particularly memorable as they retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey.
