Heat End Drought, Snap 10-Game Losing Streak vs. Hornets
The Miami Heat came into this game riding a league-worst 10-game losing streak, looking to gain some momentum heading into the postseason. Miami got the win 122-105 vs. the Charlotte Hornets, where they had previously lost to them two weeks ago. Andrew Wiggins poured in a season-high 42 points and five assists while shooting 16 for 21 from the field with the help of Tyler Herro, who had 29 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Both were consistent throughout the entire game, which has been missed by all of Miami’s key players throughout the losing streak. The Hornets got double-doubles out of Miles Bridges with 17 points and 13 rebounds, along with LaMelo Ball, who posted 18 points and 11 assists, which just wasn't enough.
To start the game, the Heat jumped to an early 11-6 lead, but the Hornets quickly responded with a 20-9 run to close out the first quarter. Nick Smith Jr. got the start for Charlotte tonight and knocked down three consecutive three-pointers during that stretch. After that, it was all Miami. LaMelo Ball hit three quick field goals to open the second quarter, but following an Erik Spoelstra timeout, the Heat, particularly Wiggins and Herro, flipped a switch. They held the Hornets scoreless in the final five minutes of the half while scoring 15 points of their own, expanding the lead to 10 by halftime.
In the second half, both teams traded baskets, with the Heat maintaining a 10-point lead throughout. Spoelstra recognized this, called a timeout as he did in the first half, and Miami quickly went on another run, pushing the lead to 21 by the end of the third quarter. Throughout this losing streak, we've seen Spoelstra call timeouts when the team has been on the receiving end of a run, but nothing seemed to come from them. It was encouraging to see Miami execute their game plan coming out of the timeout. The fourth quarter saw more of the same from both teams. The Hornets made a push, cutting the lead to 14, but a late-game three-point foul on Wiggins essentially sealed the victory for Miami.
This win has to be a wake-up call for the Heat. They are at the bottom of the playoff picture, with the Raptors trying to creep up on them for that 10th spot. This game has the potential to be a momentum starter as they sit one game behind the Bulls. Their next matchup is a big one with Jimmy Butler returning to Miami for the first time since the trade, taking on the Warriors. They need to win and can't let the drama of Jimmy returning, who has already said himself that it is just another game, distract them from what they really need to accomplish, and that's building on this victory.
