Hornets fall to Heat in last game before All-Star break. Five takeaways from the loss
The Hornets just can’t catch a break.
Just when it looked like they may finally get a win over one of the NBA’s top teams, everything fell apart. The Hornets had a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Miami Heat came back behind the hot 3-point shooting of sharpshooter Duncan Robinson.
Then in double-overtime, Jimmy Butler hit a clutch 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and the Heat defeated the Hornets 111-107 at the Spectrum Center. It is the Hornets’ seventh consecutive loss at home.
Kyle Lowry led the Heat with 25 points, including two clutch 3-pointers in overtime. Butler had 15 points. And Robinson finished with 20.
“If we would have done a good job on Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry, we would have won the game,” said Miles Bridges, who finished with a team-high 29 points.
Big man Montrezl Harrell had 24 points off the bench.
There were certainly some positives from Thursday’s game, but there were negatives too. The Hornets (29-31) are now 1-9 in their past 10 games. They are ninth place in the Eastern Conference Standings.
Here are some takeaways:
Late-game woes
There was no reason the Hornets should have lost.
They missed key free throws down the stretch that could have been the difference in the game. With 2:48 left in the fourth quarter, Bridges missed 1 of 2 free throws, which would have put the Hornets up by five. The little things allowed the Heat to climb back into the game and take control in the fourth quarter.
In overtime, Ball missed an opportunity to tie the score after missing one of two free throws with 3:39 left.
But the biggest miss was Harrell missing the second of two free throws that would have given the Hornets a one-point lead with 1.7 seconds left and a good chance for a win in regulation.
This was the second consecutive game the Hornets gave up a lead in the fourth. They had a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bridges had an opportunity to win it with two free throws but missed one. The game went into overtime and the Hornets lost.
The Hornets are now 0-6 in overtime games.
Kyle Lowry 3 or 2?
Lowry was credited with two 3-pointers in overtime, but one of them should have been a two. Lowry hit a 3-pointer to put the Heat up 92-91 with 2:04 left in overtime.
But a replay showed Lowry’s foot was on the line.
“The two?” Hornets wingman Kelly Oubre deadpanned, when asked about the shot.
The Hornets coaching staff wanted the referees to review it, but they did not. The 3-pointer stood, and the game later went to double overtime, likely costing the Hornets a win.
“It’s unfortunate because our guys battled tonight,” coach James Borrego said. “There’s a number of plays I’d like to go back and have reviewed. They put out a two-minute report and what else are you going to do. There’s nothing you can do but move on, and that’s life.”
Kelly Oubre catches fire
Oubre struggled mightily during the Hornets’ shooting slump early this month. Before Thursday, he was 5-for-42 from 3-point range in his past six games.
But he caught fire early in the second quarter. He made three consecutive 3-pointers in a one minute span, and four in just under five minutes.
His third 3-pointer with 8:41 left in the second quarter gave the Hornets a 43-39 lead, and they took advantage from there. The biggest difference this game compared to previous ones was that he was getting better shots and not settling as much.
Oubre finished with 15 points. He cooled off after that, missing a couple of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, which would have furthered the Hornets lead.
Lock-down defense
The Hornets allowed the Heat to score 37 points in the first quarter and shoot 75% from the floor. It was a terrible defensive performance early. The Heat had far too many open looks.
But Charlotte locked down in the second quarter. It held Miami to 10 points. The Heat shot 3 of 17 in the second quarter.
The Hornets got hands up and contested shots and ran the Heat off the 3-point line. They also forced 15 Heat turnovers, which led to easy points.
This is how the Hornets will have to play when they are struggling on offense, like Thursday.
The Heat finished shooting 40.2% from the floor.
JT Thor finding ways on the floor
For the third consecutive game, Borrego played rookie JT Thor. Thor is long and lanky and plays with good energy.
Against the Heat, he played 15 minutes, including a few minutes in the fourth quarter. He even hit a 3-pointer, and finished with three points, two rebounds and two assists. The Hornets outscored the Heat by five points when Thor was in the game.
The Hornets need anything they can from their reserves while Gordon Hayward, Jalen McDaniels and Cody Martin remain out with injuries.
James Bouknight also played some after not playing at all against Minnesota. He logged seven minutes and finished with two assists.
This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 10:18 PM.
