Miami Heat’s Late-Game Struggles Continue in Loss to Hornets

The Miami Heat suffered yet another frustrating defeat on Monday night, falling 105-102 to the Charlotte Hornets at Kaseya Center. This marks the third time in March that Miami has squandered a double-digit lead late in a game, leaving the team in a difficult position as they fight to stay in playoff contention.


Despite holding an 11-point advantage with under seven minutes remaining, Miami could not hold off a Charlotte comeback. This latest collapse follows similar losses to Chicago and New York earlier in the month. The Heat now lead the league in losses after being ahead through three quarters, a troubling pattern that has plagued them throughout the season.

Monday’s loss was part of a larger trend. Earlier in the season, Miami let a 22-point fourth-quarter lead slip away against Orlando and suffered similar late-game breakdowns in February. This inability to close games has left the Heat ninth in the Eastern Conference and on the verge of a losing season.


Miami controlled much of the game, leading by 13 points after the first quarter and maintaining a six-point advantage at halftime. The Hornets stormed back in the third quarter with a 14-0 run, briefly taking the lead before Miami regrouped to enter the fourth ahead 77-73.

Adebayo, who finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, took a scheduled rest early in the final period. The Heat built an 11-point cushion again, but Charlotte fought back, tying the game at 91-91 with under four minutes remaining.

Duncan Robinson temporarily put Miami ahead with a three-pointer, but Miles Bridges answered with two clutch shots from beyond the arc to push the Hornets in front. Adebayo brought the Heat within one in the final seconds, but his last three-point attempt was off the mark, sealing Miami’s fate.

At 29-35, Miami is in danger of finishing with a losing record and will likely need to navigate the play-in tournament just to reach the postseason. If they do, they face a tough road ahead, potentially meeting top teams like Boston or Cleveland in the first round.

Despite the adversity, head coach Erik Spoelstra remains hopeful.

“We just have to keep pushing forward,” Spoelstra said. “Sometimes challenges come in ways you don’t expect, but we need to stay together and fight through it.”

With time running out, Miami must find solutions quickly if they hope to turn their season around.

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