First three games of Hornets-Heat playoff series set

The dates and times of first three games between the Hornets and Heat have been determined.

The sixth-seeded Hornets will travel to third-seeded Miami for a match Sunday at 5:30 p.m. That game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.

The second contest will be broadcast on NBA TV and will be Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The series will then come to Charlotte for Game 3, which will be played Saturday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. and broadcast on TNT.

Hornets forward Nic Batum, who averages 14.9 points per game, missed Wednesday night’s win against Orlando with a sprained left ankle. Charlotte coach Steve Clifford agreed that a Sunday start in the playoffs would be much better for Batum’s health than Saturday.

Game 4, and any other later games, are not yet determined.

▪  Game 1: Sunday, April 17. Charlotte at Miami. 5:30 p.m. TNT

▪  Game 2: Wednesday, April 20. Charlotte at Miami. 7 p.m. NBA TV

▪  Game 3: Saturday, April 23. Miami at Charlotte. 5:30 p.m. TNT

▪  Game 4: Monday, April 25. Miami at Charlotte. TBD. TBD

▪  Game 5*: Wednesday, April 27. Charlotte at Miami. TBD. TBD

▪  Game 6*: Friday, April 29. Miami at Charlotte. TBD. TBD

▪  Game 7*: Sunday, May 1. Charlotte at Miami. TBD. TBD

* -if necessary

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 1:38 AM with the headline "First three games of Hornets-Heat playoff series set."