Charlotte Hornets Get Burned by the Miami Heat From Three

The Charlotte Hornets dropped a crucial game in their quest for the playoffs as their divisional rivals in the Heat shot them out of the building.

The Charlotte Hornets (36-43) were defeated by the Miami Heat (38-40) as they couldn’t keep up with Miami’s hot shooting. Goran Dragic and James Johnson lit the nets on fire in this one while the home team struggled to find their rhythm. Charlotte’s playoff hopes are virtually over after this loss.

The Hornets were once again without Ramon Sessions and Johnny O’Bryant. Sessions missed his eighth straight game while O’Bryant missed his 15th consecutive. With only three games left in the season, it is safe to say that their years are done. Marco Belinelli picked up an injury as he strained his left index finger in the first half. He did not return after being listed as questionable.

Game Story and Turning Point

Miami’s three-point shooting was off the charts. They only average 9.8 made three’s per game this season but they went off for a franchise-record 21 made shots from behind the arc int his one. Despite that, Charlotte found a way to keep it relatively close as this game featured 10 lead changes. It was back and forth for most of the first half but the Heat took over in the third quarter. They outscored the Hornets 34-22 in the third period and never looked back as they held a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half.

More from Swarm and Sting

• Hornets: Where does Brandon Miller’s ceiling rank among other rookies?
• Charlotte Hornets grade out mostly average in position-by-position ranking
• Hornets News: P.J. Washington makes bold statement on Brandon Miller
• Grade the mock trade: Hornets snag Tyler Herro, flip Gordon Hayward
• Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?

Who Stepped Up

Nicolas Batum led the way for the Hornets as he finished with 24 points to go along with seven assists and three rebounds. Kemba Walker managed to score 18 points but did so on 17 shots. Marvin Williams pulled down a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards on the night.

Frank Kaminsky led the second unit as he scored 13 points off of the bench. No one else managed to break double-figures for Charlotte in this one. Cody Zeller and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist each only scored eight points.

Miami was led by Goran Dragic who dropped a game-high 33 points. He did so while shooting 61.9% from the field and making five three’s. James Johnson got his first start of the season and poured in 26 points on 10-12 shooting from the field and 6-7 from deep. Josh Richardson scored 19 while Hassan Whiteside grabbed a big double-double with 13 points and 20 rebounds.

Play of the Game:

Tweet of the Game:

"Quick Stings"

• Marvin recorded his 11th double-double of the season.
• Nic scored 20+ points for the 14th time this year.
• Miami made 21 three’s compared to only eight from Charlotte.
• The Heat out-rebounded the Hornets 40-36.
• Batum went 12-12 from the free throw line in this one.

With the loss, the Hornets and Heat end their season series tied at 2-2. After Charlotte won the first two games of the season, Miami came back and won the last two. This is the third straight year these two teams have tied 2-2 in their season series.

Next: 2019 All-Star Game in Charlotte?

In their next outing, the Charlotte Hornets will host the Boston Celtics for their last home game of the season. It will be the fourth and final meeting of the season between them. Charlotte will play for pride sake as they look to avoid being swept while Boston looks to secure the #1 seed in the East.