Herro’s Heroics Lift Miami Heat Over Charlotte Hornets

The Miami Heat clawed their way to a hard-fought 98-94 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, bouncing back from a narrow loss to Milwaukee the previous evening. Tyler Herro led the way for Miami, delivering a game-high 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. His late-game heroics, including a clutch three-pointer and a critical steal, sealed the win for the Heat, who weathered a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Hornets.

Duncan Robinson set the tone early for Miami, scoring 13 of the team’s first 17 points and finishing with 22 points, including six three-pointers. His sharpshooting kept the Heat ahead for most of the game, and his contributions proved vital, especially with Kevin Love sidelined and Jimmy Butler exiting in the third quarter due to back tightness. Robinson’s hot start gave Miami a comfortable lead heading into halftime, with the team finishing the second quarter on a 13-2 run to take a commanding 50-39 advantage.

In the second half, the Heat continued to control the game, extending their lead to 20 points early in the third quarter. However, Charlotte came alive in the final frame, led by LaMelo Ball, who scored 17 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter. Ball’s playmaking, coupled with Brandon Miller’s 21 points and rookie Tidjane Salaun’s career-high 17 points, fueled a comeback that brought the Hornets within striking distance. Salaun’s corner three-pointer gave Charlotte a brief lead with under a minute left, putting Miami on the ropes.

Herro saved the day, draining a three-pointer to retake the lead for Miami and then intercepting a crucial pass intended for Miller, forcing the Hornets into desperation mode. After being fouled, Herro made one of two free throws, giving Charlotte one final chance to tie or win the game. Cody Martin drew a foul but missed both free throws, allowing Miami’s Kel’el Ware to seal the win with two clutch free throws of his own in the final seconds.

While Herro was the game’s hero, Bam Adebayo also played a significant role, recording a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, though his scoring efficiency (8 points on 37.5% shooting) left room for improvement. Meanwhile, Butler’s absence in the fourth quarter due to back tightness raised concerns, as the Heat struggled offensively down the stretch without their star forward. Butler’s early passivity on offense, attempting only two shots before his exit, may have been a sign of his discomfort.

LaMelo Ball was the standout performer for Charlotte, showcasing his unique ability to score from almost anywhere on the court despite shooting inefficiencies. Ball finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds but was hindered by seven turnovers, including a costly late-game mistake. His fourth-quarter explosion, which included four three-pointers, nearly carried the Hornets to an improbable comeback, but Miami’s defense, led by Herro’s clutch steal, held firm when it mattered most.

The victory improves Miami to 8-8 on the season, offering some momentum before a tough stretch of games. Despite the win, the Heat will need to address their late-game defensive lapses, as Charlotte’s nine fourth-quarter three-pointers exposed vulnerabilities in Miami’s coverage. With Toronto up next, the Heat must also monitor Butler’s health and look for more consistency from Adebayo to maintain their momentum.
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