Heat on 5 game win streak

Miami is 6-4 overall this season. After losing four of their first five games, the Heat have won five straight games entering Tuesday night. They have won three straight games on the road, too. In their last game, the Heat defeated the Spurs 118-113 on Sunday, Nov. 12. 

Against the Spurs, Miami trailed by as much as 19 points. They fought all the way back especially in the fourth quarter. The Heat shot 44% from the field and 39% from behind the 3-point line. The Heat were led by Duncan Robinson, who scored 26 points on 8-for-16 shooting and 4-for-7 from 3-point land. Bam Adebayo hauled in a team-high 11 rebounds. He also dished out a team-high six assists, too. 

Adebayo is averaging 23 points per game which is the top mark on the roster. He is also averaging 10 rebounds per game as Adebayo has played in nine of their 10 games. 

“We’re not taking anything away from San Antonio. It’s just the way they play,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said after the win over the Spurs. “They played with pace and they’re so well-coached. If you’re not really locked in and present, you can get carved up. Our offense was pretty sluggish in that first quarter, and they took advantage of it, and we found ourselves in a 19-point hole.”

Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin are out for Tuesday’s game. Josh Richardson is listed as probable for the game against the Hornets. 

The Heat are 4-6 against the spread through the first 10 games on the year. Miami is 3-2 against the spread when they play on the road. They are 2-4 against the spread when they have been favored. The under is 6-4 during this year. The under is 3-2 during road games for the Heat. 

Hornets losers of 3 of last 4

The Hornets are 3-6 through the first few games of the season. Charlotte has lost three of their last four games. Charlotte has lost three straight home games, too. In their last game, the Hornets lost 129-107 to the Knocks on the road on Sunday, Nov. 12. 

Against the Knicks, Charlotte’s biggest lead was just one point. They were outscored in every quarter against the Knicks. The Hornets shot 47% from the field and 34% from behind the 3-point line. Charlotte turned the ball over 12 times as the Knicks scored 20 points off of them. 

LaMelo Ball scored 32 points in the loss to the Knicks. He went 13-for-20 shooting in the defeat. He also led the team with seven rebounds and six assists. The Hornets have been without Miles Bridges as he is serving a 10-game suspension due to a domestically violence case form 2022. 

Terry Rozier leads the team with 22 points per game. Ball is close behind averaging 21.6 points per game. Mark Williams is grabbing 9.2 rebounds per game, while Ball is dishing out 8.2 assists. 

“When Miles (Bridges) gets here, it’ll be somewhat different. If you want to look at two years ago, those two guys on the floor, offensively it was good. We’re good now offensively with P.J. (Washington Jr.) at the 5, but the rebounding wasn’t good then and the defense wasn’t good,” Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said about his roster last week. “That’s what’s going to happen. When teams downsize at 5, it’s a stopgap thing unless it’s like Draymond (Green). The best teams who play five-out have a center who is versatile enough to do that and can shoot 3s and pass.”

Gordon Hayward is probable for Tuesday’s game against the Heat. 

The Hornets are 4-5 against the spread this season. They have covered in three of their last five games. They are also 1-3 against the spread during home games. The over is 7-2 during Charlotte’s first nine games of the season. The over has hit in seven straight games for the Hornets.