Charlotte Hornets vs Miami Heat Game Preview

The Hornets head back home as they look to win their fourth straight game.

INJURY REPORT:

HORNETS: OUT: PJ Washington (Right Foot Sprain), Cody Martin (Knee)

HEAT: OUT: Kyle Lowry (Knee), Omer Yurtseven (Ankle), Nikola Jovic (Back)

GAME PREVIEW:

The Charlotte Hornets take on the Miami Heat at 7:00 PM EST in the Spectrum Center tonight. Both teams are coming off of a back-to-back, Miami were beaten by Milwaukee while the Hornets got the win over the Timberwolves. The Hornets led by LaMelo Ball are currently rolling with three straight wins. LaMelo has taken his play to the next-level over the past three games averaging 30.0 points, 11.0 assists, and 9.3 rebounds in that stretch. Gordon Hayward has also been playing some of his best basketball of the season, Hayward is averaging 23.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over the past three games. 

After getting Kelly Oubre back at last night's game the Hornets are the healthiest they had been this season. However, in the last minute of Friday's game, PJ Washington went down with a sprained right knee and did not return for the remainder of the game. The timetable is unknown for Washington's return in the lineup, he is currently listed as doubtful. With Washington being out of the lineup, it could mean more minutes for second year players, JT Thor and Kai Jones who has been recalled from Greensboro.

The Miami Heat currently sit in the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 32-28 record. Unlike the Hornets, they have struggled recently losing their last three games. The Heat made a couple of signings over the last week by bringing in veterans Kevin Love and Cody Zeller. Love and Zeller both played in last night's loss to Milwaukee. It will be a reunion game for Cody Zeller tonight, who spent eight seasons with the Hornets. Kevin Love had a rough debut last night, as he was held scoreless in 22 minutes, while shooting 0-4 from the field. 

Jimmy Butler has had his way with the Hornets this season, averaging 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, while shooting a ridiculous 68.3% from the field in the three games they have played thus far. Miami has went 2-1 over the Hornets this season, with the Hornets winning their last matchup with Miami. The Hornets will look to tie up the season series tonight at the Spectrum Center. 

KEY MATCHUP: Tyler Herro vs Terry Rozier 

Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier both had what you would call "off nights" in last night's games. Herro shot just 5-15 and only scored 14 points, while Rozier shot 2-10 and only scored 9 points, which is well short of each other's averages. Both guards will look to have a bounce back game tonight against each other. Rozier is averaging 21.5 points per game on the season, while shooting a mild 32.9% from three. Herro is averaging 20.5 points per game, while shooting a more respectable 37.0% from downtown. Rozier will have to match or perform better than Herro tonight, if the Hornets want to snag their fourth straight win. 

Position 	Hornets	Heat
Point Guard	LaMelo Ball	Gabe Vincent
Shooting Guard	Terr y Rozier	Tyler Herro
Small Forward	Gordon Hayward	Jimmy Butler
Power Forward	JT Thor	Kevin Love
Center	Mark Williams	Bam Adebayo

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