Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat

Hornets take on the Heat in a divisional battle.

Injury Report

Hornets: OUT LaMelo Ball (R Ankle Sprain), Cody Martin (L Knee), Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia Fracture) Doubtful: Mark Williams (Lower Back Contusion)

Heat: OUT Bam Adebayo (Hip), Haywood Highsmith (Back), Tyler Herro (Ankle Sprain)

The Hornets and Heat will play their second game in three days following the Heat's 116-114 triumph on Monday night. The divisional foes are both treading water with Charlotte sporting a 4-6 record in their last ten and Miami only being 5-5. 

The Hornets were carried by a masterful 34 point performance by Terry Rozier on Monday, and the cast around him will need to step up for Charlotte to take down Miami on the road. The earlier contest was very even statistcally, but Charlotte had trouble on the glass without Mark Williams in the lineup. Williams is doubtful to play tonight, and Charlotte, 24th in rebounding in 2023, will need to play with more physicality in the paint against a Heat team that brings it night in and night out. 

Key Match-up: Miles Bridges vs. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler is the hub of the Miami offense and is a tough cover for anyone in the league. His herky-jerky mid-range game combined with his physicality on and off the ball and elite basketball mind are a problem for anyone facing the veteran. 

Bridges has proven his worth on the offensive end, but his struggles on defense have been lamented all over social media this week. If Bridges can limit Butler and force Miami to run their offense through other players, Charlotte will have a better chance at stealing a key road win in Miami.

Miami Heat	Charlotte Hornets
Kyle Lowry	Terry Rozier
Duncan Robinson	Gordon Hayward
Caleb Martin	Brandon Miller
Jimmy Butler	Miles Bridges
Orlando Robinson	Nick Richards