The Charlotte Hornets lost an important game to the Miami Heat Sunday 121-111. This game gave Miami sole possession of the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. It also made it difficult for Charlotte to move up in the standings.
At the start of the game, both teams exchanged baskets in the low post. That seemed to be the way the game flowed, especially for the Heat. The two teams caught fire at the latter stages of the first quarter. At the end of the first, the Hornets trailed by three, 35-32 because of an unbelievable pass by LaMelo Ball.
Ball continued to play well, getting 6 points early in the second quarter. The Hornets played efficient basketball, but the more experienced Heat were able to fend off Charlotte and keep them at arms’ length. After P.J. Washington hit a 3-point field goal with a little over four minutes to go in the quarter, a drought ensued for the Hornets. This has been an Achilles heel for the team over the last several weeks. They didn’t make another basket until a Devonte Graham’s three in the final seconds of the quarter. At the half, the Hornets trailed 65-58.
The game went downhill for the Hornets in the third quarter. After a 5-0 run to cut the lead to two, they went on a prolonged cold spell which lasted eleven game minutes. The Hornets couldn’t handle the physical play of the Heat. Dewayne Dedmon scored eleven big points in the quarter for the Heat. The Hornets struggled to keep the Heat out of the interior, while they had trouble with their own inside game. At the end of the third, what was once a close game turned into a Miami 20 point lead.
Miles Bridges intercepted a pass which led to a three pointer, getting Charlotte off to a fast start in the fourth quarter. But the Hornets could not build momentum. The Heat went on a 7-0 run to put the game out of reach. The Hornets’ reserves played well, but the game was too far gone.
The Hornets had balanced scoring. Washington had 21 points. Miles Bridges (15), LaMelo Ball (14) and Terry Rozier (14) joined him in double figures. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Butler had an all-around game with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Hornets played well on offense, but their defense was lacking. They will have to play 48 minutes to beat the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
