GAME PREVIEW: Heat set to face Hornets in back to back games, this time in South Beach

Game story:

The injury hit Miami Heat traveled to Charlotte on Monday night and picked up the clutch time 116-114 win, improving to 13-10 on the season. The Hornets fell to 7-14, and now both teams get a rematch tonight except this time in South Beach at the Kaseya Center.

The Heat are still without the services of 3 starters Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Haywood Highsmith.

All of them are very much key players for this team and what they can do at their best, so it has been unfortunate to never consistently see the roster at full strength this season.

However, Adebayo and Herro both are getting shots up in the gym and at practice again. Herro has been out for 5 weeks, after telling media he only expected to be out for 2 weeks.

Both players, but Herro especially, should be in the home stretch for a much needed return and jolt to the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Heat.

On Monday night, it was an incredible team effort across the board to pick up the win.

Duncan Robinson continued his outstanding play, with a team high 24 PTS along with 7 RBS, 4 ASTS, 2 STLS and 5/9 from 3.

Jimmy Butler had his first game of at least 20 PTS & 8 ASTS this season.

Kevin Love contributed a vintage performance with a huge 19 PTS & 6 RBS on 61% shooting and 4/8 from 3 off the bench.

18 PTS and 20 PTS from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Caleb Martin as well, respectively.

Martin has been starting to hit his stride offensively, he had a full statline of 20 PTS, 9 RBS, 5 ASTS, 50% FG in the Monday night win.

He is averaging 19.3 PPG & 7.3 RPG in the month of December.

It will be important for Miami to keep up their efficient shooting for tonight, where the team shot 48% from the field and 43% from 3 point range in the last win.

They also rebounded the ball very well, with a 43-31 edge over the Hornets.

Charlotte is still without LaMelo Ball, but Terry Rozier stepped up for them and dropped 34 PTS and 13 ASTS on 10/17 shooting against Miami. He also hit 8/13 threes.

It will be no secret that the offensive dominance from Rozier the other night put himself on the Heat’s scouting report. It will be interesting to see what the game plan will be to attempt to slow him down.

Tonight’s game will tip off at 7:30 PM ET on Bally Sports Florida.

Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):

Miami Heat:

• Bam Adebayo (hip) — OUT
• Haywood Highsmith (back) — OUT
• Tyler Herro (ankle) — OUT
• Dru Smith (knee) — OUT
• Nikola Jovic (g league) — OUT

Charlotte Hornets:

• Mark Williams (back) — Doubtful
• LaMelo Ball (ankle) — OUT
• Cody Martin (knee) — OUT
• Frank Ntilikina (tibia) — OUT
• Nick Smith Jr. (g league) — OUT
• Leaky Black (g league) — OUT
• Armani Bailey (g league) — OUT

Projected Starting 5:

Miami Heat:

• Kyle Lowry, G
• Duncan Robinson, G
• Jimmy Butler, F
• Caleb Martin, F
• Orlando Robinson, C

Charlotte Hornets:

• Terry Rozier, G
• Miles Bridges, G
• Brandon Miller, F
• Gordon Hayward, F
• Nick Richards, C

Betting Lines (at the time of this publishing):

• Check the odds out at FanDuel!

Broadcast Info:

• Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
• TV: Bally Sports 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!

***

To check out our other content, click here.

Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!