Charlotte Hornets Fall to the Miami Heat 91-84 (VIDEO)
1st QT -The game started with back-to-back 3-pt baskets by Justise Winslow and Marvin Williams. The crowd seems a little subdued on this chilly Wednesday evening. Both teams have playoff hopes riding on this game. Talking to several members of the Hornets over the past couple of weeks, each member of the team is saying that's this run to postseason is a "one game at a time" approach. I'm sure that's easier said than done given the fact that they are five teams in the mix for the eighth and final spot. (with 7:07 left to play, 10-10)
1st QT cont... At the end of this quarter I realized how balanced and detailed the Heat were in the early going. Four of the team's five starters scored at least five points or more. The highlight of the quarter was the classy standing ovation for future Hall-Of-Famer, Dwyane Wade who is playing in his final game in Charlotte. Earlier this week, Wade became the most prolific shot-blocking guard in NBA history, passing Michael Jordan on the all-time list. For the first time in nine games, the Hornets DID NOT surrender 30 points to an opponent in the first quarter. (29-18 HEAT)
2nd QT - The Hornets came out on a nice 11-4 over the first 5:30 to pull to within 33-32. Charlotte's defense has intensified here in the quarter. That seems to be a pattern with Borrego's team. Specifically, the Hornets give up big quarters only to settle down and must play catch-up. (with 6:08 left to play, Heat 35 Hornets 32)
2nd QT cont... Charlotte settled down defensively, surrendering just 14 points in the quarter, heading into the locker room tied at 43. Kemba Walker leads all scorers with 13 points. Kelly Olynyk scored 12 points for the Heat. Statistically speaking, both teams shot around 40 percent, the Hornets made one more 3-pt basket than the Heat did (7-6). (43-43 TIE)
3rd QT - Marvin Williams drained a 3-pt shot with 10;01 left that gave the Hornets a 46-45 lead. That was the first Charlotte lead since 8-6 early in the first quarter. We expect this game to go right down to the wire... (With 3:51 left to play, Hornets lead 56-55)
3rd QT - Low scoring quarter as both teams combined for 33 total points. 31 total turnovers in this game and both teams shooting poorly from the field. This is throw-back game of sorts where the defense was intense, the games low-scoring. Four total players in double-figures with Kelly Olynyk leading the way, he has 14 points. (61-58 HEAT)
4th QT - Fans could be heard shouting, “let’s go Heat, let's go Heat," as Dwyane Wade hit a runner to give Miami a seven-point lead. Wade, who most likely is making his last appearance in Charlotte, has eight points on 4-13 shooting from the field. (with 7:10 left to play, 74-67 HEAT)
4th QT cont... The Heat are blistering hot from the field. Miami used a 14-0 run to open up a 17-point with the crowd resembling more of a Miami Heat home game than anything else. Frank Kaminsky has 17 points off the bench. The Hornets have hit 12 3-pt baskets tonight. (with 3:33 left, 86-74 HEAT)
FINAL SCORE: 91-84 HEAT