Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets lose to Miami Heat, 3 takeaways

By Dylan Jackson

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on October 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on October 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Miami Heat on Friday night by a score of 114-99. After bringing things close in the fourth quarter, the Hornets were never able to capitalize.

There were a few standout performances by Charlotte, but they did not break the 100-point mark for the first time all season long against the league-best Miami Heat defense.

Charlotte Hornets takeaway #1: We already knew this, but the Hornets need a center.

Tonight, one of the best centers in the NBA gave the Charlotte Hornets work in Bam Adebayo. He finished with 26 points and 19 rebounds – and the Heat as a whole collected 23 more boards than the Hornets.

Mason Plumlee is fine for what he is – and does well enough against teams that don’t have a Adebayo-caliber center. But Charlotte is going to continue to get exposed if this position is not addressed by the trade deadline. The Hornets have had a rotational door at center over the past several years – and it has been fine with inconsequential basketball – but a change has to be imminent soon.

Charlotte Hornets takeaway #2: The Miles Bridges development is real.

Even in a game against the league’s best defense, when he struggled to get going in the first-half, Miles Bridges shined. He went on to finish with 22 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and one block on Friday – cementing his spot as one of the (if not THE) best players on the Hornets.

Bridges has been sensational to begin this year, becoming better at attacking closeouts, defending both inside and on the perimeter, and consistently finding ways to create his own shot. It’s great to see, and more proof that James Borrego’s developmental system and staff has been a worthwhile investment.

Charlotte Hornets takeaway #3: The Hornets miss Terry Rozier.

Terry Rozier’s consistent perimeter scoring and attacking is something the Hornets have tried to replicate, but he brings a dimention to the offense that isn’t otherwise there in the half court. Even in the one game Rozier has played, he did not seem like his true self.

There is a reason the Hornets invested so much money in Terry Rozier, and he’ll prove that worth after he returns to the squad fully healthy. Until then, the guard rotation is going to continue to be a bit raw, and Borrego will likely keep the full rotation at about nine players per night.

Next. Hornets: What will the Miles Bridges extension be?. dark

The winner of tonight’s ‘guess-the-top-scorer’ challenge:

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