(Photo via Miami Herald)
It is a very, very early sample size, but the Miami Heat look like a much improved team this season.
They are coming off a huge statement win against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference in the New York Knicks. Now the game plan turns back to the road, as the Heat will conclude their brief two-game homestand to host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. Both teams have come out to pleasantly surprising strong starts, as each of Miami and Charlotte currently sport a 2-1 record overall.
For the Heat to extend to a three-game winning streak, Charlotte’s superstar LaMelo Ball will have to be contained. It will be two consecutive difficult defensive matchups for Davion Mitchell in the backcourt, following a 37-point explosion for the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson on Sunday. Additionally, newly acquired Collin Sexton has looked impactful for the Hornets alongside Ball.
Coach Erik Spoelstra has continued to be an emphasis on a faster paced offense to begin the year. However, the Hornets’ tempo will assuredly attempt to keep up— as both team’s are currently in the top-five in the NBA for most total points per game after week one. Miami has had their way against Charlotte over the years; going 11-3 against them in their last 10 matchups.
Norman Powell will look to continue leading the way offensively. But keep a lookout on both of Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic to bounce back, as the two potential Heat x-factors struggled in the team’s most recent win.
Tonight’s game will tip-off at 7:30 PM EST on FanDuel Sports Sun.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Simone Fontecchio (calf) — QUESTIONABLE
- Tyler Herro (foot) — OUT
- Kasparas Jakucionis (groin) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
Charlotte Hornets:
- Tre Mann (jaw contusion) — QUESTIONABLE
- Brandon Miller (shoulder) — OUT
- Grant Williams (knee) — OUT
- Josh Green (shoulder) — OUT
- Drew Peterson (g-league) — OUT
- Antonio Reeves (g-league) — OUT
- KJ Simpson (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Charlotte Hornets:
- LaMelo Ball, G
- Collin Sexton, G
- Miles Bridges, F
- Kon Knueppel, F
- Ryan Kalkbrenner, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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This is a home game as one of my sons is going with friends from school. After this game is when we go on that brutal road stretch, so need this W.
Go HEAT!
Great. I always wanted to visit a NBA game. Last year, me and one of my sons had a conversation to go to Miami-Dallas game ( he is a huge Luka fan). Anyway, there was no time.
This, year, I don’t know. Its hard to root for Lakers, even if Luka is there. we will see, the game is in late march.
That sounds like an excellent father-son trip. Let me know so I can coordinate with Pat on getting your jersey retired that night. 🙂
No need for that. Red carpet, Gloria Estefan singing and Heat dancers dancing around would be enough.
Can’t beat the Knicks and then lose to the Hornets. I mean, it’s possible, but like you said, we need the W. Win this next one, recollect… Study film and get this brutal stretch of road games over with!