Hornets Get Routed by Heat

The Charlotte Hornets dropped their fourth straight game at the hands of the Miami Heat, 104-86 on Saturday.

The Heat came out of the gate sloppy, only converting three of their first eleven shots, along with four turnovers. Caleb Martin, returning to action after missing a game with an Achilles injury, made a jumper, giving Miami a 14-13 lead, with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Heat went on a 15-5 run to close out the period, leading 31-23.

The Hornets went on a 14-2 run of their own to start the second quarter. The run was capped by a Miles Bridges three-pointer, with them taking the lead 42-40. Charlotte took a five point lead into the locker room, 51-46, outscoring the Heat 28-15. The Hornets shot 40.9% and 42.9% from the three-point range. Miami shot 33.3% and was a dismal 2 of 16 (12.5%) from beyond the arc in the first half. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo scored 28 of the Heats’ 46 total first half points.

The Heat took control of the game in the third quarter, going on a 28-7 run, including 16 unanswered. Miami outscored the Hornets 35-8, as turnovers led to easy buckets in transition. Adebayo outscored the Hornets by himself, with 10 points in the frame and dominated the paint area. Butler’s second chance layup gave the Heat a 74-57 advantage, with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. The Heat led 81-59 going into the fourth quarter. It was the fewest points the Hornets have scored in a quarter since March 21, 2016.

Frustration hit an all-time high for the Hornets before the start of the fourth quarter when coach James Borrego verbalized something to guard James Bouknight, who was on the sideline after playing the final 14 seconds of the third quarter. Bouknight appeared to take exception to what was said and stood up to confront Borrego. A teammate grabbed his uniform to hold him back and an assistant coach stepped in and escorted the team’s first-round draft pick to the dressing room. Bouknight did not return and the Hornets refused to make him available to talk to the media after the game. Bouknight entered the night having played in only 24 of the team’s 53 games, averaging 10.4 minutes and 5 points per game.

Coach Erik Spoelstra was able to give his veteran players some much needed rest, as they sat out the entire fourth quarter. Martin started the quarter with a layup for the Heat, making the score 83-59. Back to back Tyler Herro long balls increased the lead to 30, 99-69, with just under six minutes to go in the game. The Hornets went on an inconsequential 15-3 run in the final 4:30 of the contest.

Ball only played six minutes in the second half. He took a few ill-advised shots, attempting two three-pointers after crossing half court, instead of passing the ball.

“I think he’s trying to play the right way,” Borrego said. “Obviously there is some shot selection and (game) management that is work in progress for him. But we just have to stick with it. He’s trying to figure it out, as am I, and we will do it together.”

Butler had a game-high 27 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Heat. Adebayo had a double-double, with 20 points and 12 rebounds, with three assists. Herro contributed 19 points, four boards, two assists and three steals off the bench.

Terry Rozier had 16 points to lead the Hornets, along with six boards and one assist. Bridges had a good floor game with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Ball added 12 points, six boards and three assists.

The Heat travel to Washington to take on Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards on Monday. The Hornets host Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors on Monday.